Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor solar cell including a semiconductor layer including a plurality of pores, wherein walls of the pores are doped, forming vertical junctions between the walls of the pores and a bulk of the semiconductor, the pores each contain a conductor which is in electrical contact with the walls of the pores, and the conductors of the pores are electrically interconnected to provide an output voltage of the solar cell. A monolithic semiconductor solar cell including a semiconductor layer including a plurality of trenches, wherein walls of the trenches are doped, forming vertical junctions between the walls of the trenches and a bulk of the semiconductor, the trenches each contain a conductor which is in electrical contact with the walls of the trenches, and the conductors of the trenches are electrically interconnected to provide an output voltage of the solar cell. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: This application relates to a binding-induced hairpin detection system comprising: a. a first probe comprising a targeting molecule and an oligonucleotide that has a free end and an end attached to the targeting molecule; and b. a second probe comprising a targeting molecule and an oligonucleotide that has an end attached to the targeting molecule and a free end comprising a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence at or near the free end of the oligonucleotide of the first probe; wherein upon binding of the targeting molecule to a target molecule, the free end of the oligonucleotide of the second probe hybridizes at or near the free end of the oligonucleotide of the first probe forming a hairpin stem, the non-hybridized portions of the first and second probes together with the target molecule bound thereto forming a hairpin loop, thereby providing a binding-induced hairpin.

Abstract: A medical procedure training system and method for using is provided. The system includes a sensing system structured to detect the position and motion of a medical device inserted into a simulated body, a processor structured to generate images of the medical device and relevant anatomical structures based on the detected position and motion of the medical device, and a display system structured to display the images in a correct registration on the outer surface of the simulated body.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant xylanases, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of using these xylanases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for modifying cell proliferation in a plant which comprises the step of transforming a plant, or plant propagating material, with a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one regulatory sequence capable of directing expression within the integuments and/or seed coat and at least one nucleic acid sequence whose expression or transcription product is capable of directly or indirectly modulating cell proliferation, whereby on expression of that nucleic acid sequence cell proliferation is modified. The invention also relates to a plant which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one regulatory sequence capable of directing expression within integuments and/or seed coat an at least one nucleic acid sequence whose expression or transcription product is capable of directly or indirectly modulated cell proliferation, whereby on expression of that nucleic acid sequence cell proliferation is modified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authoring an architecture for transforming a single-core based embedded software application to a multi-core based embedded software application, and a method of determining an architectural pattern in a multimedia system. It is possible to perform an architecture authoring operation by using an architectural decision supporter, without prior knowledge and accumulated knowledge regarding a software architecture. Additionally, it is possible to prevent an error from occurring during authoring of an architecture, by using a concurrency-related software architectural pattern that is already evaluated. Thus, it is possible to improve overall quality of software, and to reduce a development time.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving plant disease resistance by expression of NPR1-biding domain/transcriptional activation domain fusions are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for cardiac therapy. Such compositions include extracellular-matrix (ECM)-based products that can be used to support tissue repair. The compositions can be used for various purposes. In some cases, they can be introduced into a subject in order to preserve and/or repair damaged heart tissue.

Abstract: A method for forming a novel composite of carbon nanofibers grown on a nickel foam is described wherein the composite, when used in a capacitor exhibits superior change retention and discharge capacities. Once the composite material has been obtained, it may be formed into electrodes which can be used to form supercapacitors of large per area capacitances in the order of 1.2 F/cm2.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating surfaces of objects using a non-thermal plasma are disclosed herein. The non-thermal plasma is generated through the use of an apparatus configured to generate a non-thermal plasma on its surface. The apparatus is comprised of a substrate that contains one or more electrodes of different polarity. The electrodes are placed within a layer of the substrate acting as a dielectric layer. The apparatus may also have additional layers to contain the dielectric layer. When an appropriate potential, being either an alternating current or pulsed high voltage potential, is applied and removed from the one or more electrodes, the gas on at least one surface of the apparatus becomes ionized and forms a non-thermal plasma. The electrodes can be configured to be of various shapes and sizes to modify or tune the plasma.

Abstract: The invention features methods, kits, and compositions for generating new hair follicles and growing hair on a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor device. More particularly, the invention relates to a CMOS-based micro-optical-electromechanical-sensor (MOEMS) device with silicon light emitting devices, silicon waveguides and silicon detectors being fabricated using current Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology or Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology. According to the invention there is provided a sensor comprising: a Silicon-based light emitting structure; an integrated electro-optical mechanical interface structure that is capable to sense mechanical deflections; an integrated electronic driving and processing circuitry so as to detect physical parameters such as vibration, motion, rotation, acceleration.

Abstract: A flexible chemiresistor (CR) sensor for sensing a molecule of interest in a fluid (liquid or gas) is provided. The flexible CR sensor comprises a flexible chemiresistor (CR) module. The flexible CR module comprises a flexible substrate such polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or polyimide (PI), and a thin film nanoparticle assembly assembled on the flexible substrate. The thin film nanoparticle assembly comprises metal or metal alloy core, ligand-capped nanoparticles and molecular linkers connecting the nanoparticles. The flexible CR sensor and an intelligent pattern recognition engine can be incorporated in a handheld device that can detect a molecule of interest in a fluid (e.g., a liquid or gas) accurately, rapidly, and without false positives. Any sensing array nanomaterial, pattern recognition, and compact/or electronic hardware can be integrated to achieve a desired detection limit and response speed.

Abstract: Provided are novel biocompatible copolymers and compositions comprising the copolymers. The copolymers are non-toxic and typically have an LCST below 37° C. Compositions comprising the copolymers can be used for wound treatment, as a cellular growth matrix or niche and for injection into cardiac tissue to repair and mechanically support damaged tissue. The copolymers comprise numerous ester linkages so that the copolymers are erodeable in situ. Degradation products of the copolymers are soluble and non-toxic. The copolymers can be amine-reactive so that they can conjugate with proteins, such as collagen. Active ingredients, such as drugs, can be incorporated into compositions comprising the copolymers.

Abstract: This invention provides novel chemically modified mutant serine hydrolases that catalyze a transamidation and/or a transpeptidation and/or a transesterification reaction. The modified serine hydrolases have one or more amino acid residues in a subsite replaced with a cysteine, wherein the cysteine is modified by replacing the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a polar aromatic substituent, an alkyl amino group with a positive charge, and a glycoside. In particularly preferred embodiments, the substitutents include an oxazolidinone, a C1 to C15 alkyl amino group with a positive charge, or a glycoside.

Abstract: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy systems, methods of making SPR microscopy systems, methods of measuring and detecting the presence of one or more compounds present in a sample using the SPR microscopy system, and the like, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy system can include an integrated microfluidic chip that includes a plurality of layers, an SPR imaging system, and a pressure manifold to actuate flow control components in the integrated microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for mapping pipeline for use in a fluid pipeline, comprising: a pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the fluid in the fluid pipeline; a gyroscope that measures the angular velocity of the apparatus for mapping pipeline in the fluid pipeline; a processing module that collects and converts the pressure of the fluid and the angular velocity to a pressure data and an angular velocity data, respectively; and a data output module that outputs the pressure data and the angular velocity data. The present invention also provides a method for mapping pipeline and a system using the same that obtain the spatial layout of the fluid pipeline by analyzing the pressure data and the angular velocity data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for whitening skin or improving skin wrinkles comprising black tea extract as an active ingredient. In a cell experiment for Melan-a cells and an animal experiment using the brown guinea pig model with artificial tanning spots induced by UVB, the black tea extract of the present disclosure greatly inhibited melanin synthesis. Also, in an experiment on SKH-1 hairless mouse, it remarkably inhibited wrinkle formation. Accordingly, the composition of the present disclosure can be developed as a skin whitening agent, an anti-wrinkle agent or a medicine for treating diseases associated with melanin hyperpigmentation, e.g. liver spots, freckles, senile spots or solar lentigo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for treating or preventing vitiligo or canities comprising Sophora japonica extract as an active ingredient. The Sophora japonica extract enhances melanin synthesis by increasing the activity of tyrosinase which is critical in intracellular melanin synthesis and promoting the expression of tyrosinase and TRP-2 mRNA. Furthermore, since the Sophora japonica extract is a natural substance with little cytotoxicity, it may be developed into a therapeutic agent for vitiligo and canities caused by depigmentation in skin and hair.

Abstract: Vibratory feedback systems and methods are disclosed. A vibratory feedback system includes a shoe adapted to be secured to a user's foot, a plurality of force sensors and vibration actuators mounted on the shoe, and a microprocessor affixed to the shoe. The force sensors are configured to sense forces exerted by the user's foot. The vibration actuators are configured to provide vibrations to the user's foot. The microprocessor is coupled to receive data from the plurality of force sensors, and is programmed to actuate the plurality of vibration actuators to provide a first characteristic vibration to the user's foot based on the sensed forces. A method of improving the gait of a user includes enabling the user to ambulate with the vibratory feedback system secured to the user's foot, and providing a first characteristic vibration to the user's foot based on the sensed forces using the vibratory feedback system.