Abstract: A degradable composite comprising a degradable matrix, a first fiber type and a second fiber type, wherein the first fiber type has a different rate of degradation to that of the second fiber type.

Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein Y is F or Br; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are effective antitumor agents. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a salt thereof, intermediates useful for preparing a compound of formula I, therapeutic methods comprising administering a compound of formula I or a salt thereof to a mammal in need thereof, and methods of inhibiting cancer cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapy delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a therapy delivery system includes a plurality of movable components including a radiation therapy nozzle and a patient pod for holding a patient, a patient registration module for determining a desired position of at least one of the plurality of movable components, and a motion control module for coordinating the movement of the least one of the plurality of movable components from a current position to the desired position. The motion control module includes a path planning module for simulating at least one projected trajectory of movement of the least one of the plurality of moveable components from the current position to the desired position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for converting lignocellulosic material into biofuel. In particular embodiments, the method comprises pre-treating lignocellulosic material by dissolving the material in ionic liquids. The pretreated lignocellulosic material can be isolated, such as by precipitation with a regenerating solvent (e.g., water), and be used directly in the formation of biofuel, including undergoing hydrolysis to form sugar and fermentation to form fuel, such as bioethanol. The ionic liquid can be recycled for further use, such as by evaporation of the water introduced during precipitation, and the recycling provides a route to a hemicellulose rich fraction and an ionic liquid of consistent quality and wood dissolution characteristics. The recovered hemicelluloses are of significant utilization potential toward commodity and specialty applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel purified and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding procoagulant-active FVIII proteins. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein residue Phe309 is mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the APC cleavage sites, Arg336 and Ile562, are mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention further encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the B-domain is deleted, the von Willebrand factor binding site is deleted, a thrombin cleavage site is mutated, an amino acid sequence spacer is inserted between the A2- and A3-domains.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skull endosseous implant adapted to be implanted in the subject's skull to provide an access channel. A variety of sensor means may be installed in the access channel for monitoring the intracranial status of the subject. The present invention further provides a kit containing the skull endosseous implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complementary-conducting-strip (CCS) structure for miniaturizing microwave transmission line. The CCS structure comprises a substrate; a transmission part formed on the substrate, the transmission part consisted of M metal layers and at least one connecting arm extending from the metal layers to connect to an adjacent CCS structure, the M metal layers interlaminated M?1 dielectric layer(s) perforating a plurality of first metal vias to connect the M metal layers, wherein M?2 and M is a nature number; and a frame part formed on the substrate, the frame part surrounding the transmission part and consisted of M?1 metal frame(s), the M?1 metal frame(s) interlaminated M?2 dielectric frame(s) perforating a plurality of second metal vias to connect the metal frames.

Abstract: A passive tag receiving a reader signal provided by a reader is disclosed. The passive tag includes an antenna, an oscillator circuit, and an internal chip. The antenna receives the reader signal. The reader signal is within an operation frequency band. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the antenna and generates a frequency signal. The internal chip processes the reader signal according to power provided by the reader signal and the frequency signal when the reader signal is received and the frequency signal is generated.

Abstract: Compounds of formulas I-IV: (I), (II), (III) (IV), wherein: R1 and R4-R23 are independently selected from H and 1-3 carbon lower alkyl; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, 1-3 carbon lower O II alkyl, and —C—Ra, wherein Ra is 1-3 carbon lower alkyl. Pharmaceutical compositions, which include any of Compounds I-IV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, methods of inducing tumor cell apoptosis by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of any of Compounds I-IV, and methods for obtaining any of Compounds I-IV by extracting the compound from coral are also provided.

Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major problem in the pork industry worldwide. The inclusion of markers in vaccines will allow for diagnostic differentiation of vaccinated animals from those naturally infected with wild-type virus. Using a cDNA infectious clone of North American Type 1 PRRSV, a recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged PRRSV has been made, containing deletion of an immunogenic epitope, ES4, in the nsp2 region. GFP and ES4 epitope-based ELISAs compliment the marker identification.

Abstract: The configurations of an electro-optic Bragg deflector and the methods of using it as a laser Q-switch in a Q-switched laser and in a Q-switched wavelength-conversion laser are provided. As a first embodiment, the electro-optic Bragg deflector comprises an electrode-coated electro-optic material with one of a 1D and a 2D spatially modulated electro-optic coefficient. When a voltage is supplied to the electrodes, the electro-optic material behaves like a Bragg grating due to the electro-optically induced spatial modulation of the refractive index. The second embodiment relates to an actively Q-switched laser, wherein the electro-optic Bragg deflector functions as a laser Q-switch. The third embodiment of the present invention combines the Q-switched laser and a laser-wavelength converter to form a Q-switched wavelength-conversion laser, wherein the EO Bragg deflector can be monolithically integrated with a quasi-phase-matching wavelength converter in a fabrication process.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles of a selected size includes selecting an organic solvent based upon a molar volume of the organic solvent, the selected nanoparticle size, and a known relationship between the molar volume and the selected nanoparticle size, and producing nanoparticles having the selected size in a water-in-oil microemulsion comprising the selected organic solvent.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for treating cancer, comprising administering to an individual having cancer an agent to prevent MIC shedding (initiated at the alpha-3 ectodomain of MIC) by a tumor cell. Also provided herein are screening assays for identifying, or testing the efficacy of, an agent for increasing sensitivity of a tumor to immune cell-mediated killing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating organic solar arrays for application in DC power supplies for electrostatic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. A solar array with 20 miniature cells (as small as 1 mm2) interconnected in series is fabricated and characterized. Photolithography is used to isolate individual cells and output contacts of the array, whereas the thermal-vacuum deposition is employed to make the series connections of the array. With 1 mm2 for single cell and a total device area of 2.2 cm2, the organic solar array based on bulk heterojunction structure of ?-conjugated polymers and C60 derivative (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester produces an open-circuit voltage of 7.8 V and a short-circuit current of 55 ?A under simulated air mass (AM) 1.5 illumination with an intensity of 132 mW/cm2. The present method can be used in the fabrication of microarrays as small as 0.01 mm2.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels stored in one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, each of the plurality of pixels including a photodiode receiving light and producing photocharges, an overflow gate coupled to the photodiode and transferring photocharges that overflow the photodiode during a storage operation, and a storage capacitor element that stores the photocharges transferred by the overflow gate during the storage operation.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitting apparatus for remotely transmitting energy is implemented with a closed metal housing and a plurality of conductive plates disposed within the closed metal housing. With the aid of a high impedance between the closed metal housing and the conductive plates, a surface having the high impedance is formed on both the closed metal housing and the conductive plates for constraining electromagnetic power within the closed metal housing from dissipating and being consumed. The wireless power transmitting apparatus is not merely able to effectively and uniformly restrict electromagnetic field energy to the closed metal housing with the aid of the high impedance, but is also be able to raise a power transmitting efficiency between a power emitting device and a power receiving device.

Abstract: A concentric-circular-gradient functional material for biogenic use is produced using first, second, third and forth cylindrical partitions, and a cylindrical dice which are concentrically stood on a supporting stand. Ti powder (A) fills the first cylindrical partition. A first mixed powder including Ti powder (A) and biogenic material powder (B) fills between the first and second cylindrical partitions. A second mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the first mixed powder fills between the second and third cylindrical partitions. A third mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the second mixed powder fills between the third and fourth cylindrical partitions. The biogenic material powder (B) fills between the fourth cylindrical partition and the dice. The first to fourth partitions are pulled out. The dice is capped using a punch. The powders are sintered using a discharge plasma sintering machine.

Abstract: With a vehicle seat arranging structure, a second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in a rearward slide position by sliding the second-row passenger-side seat toward the rear of a vehicle by 150 millimeters so that the second-row passenger-side seat is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the second-row driver-side seat. In addition, each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in an obliquely-inward frontward-oriented position by swiveling each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat from the frontward-oriented position 10 degrees inward in the vehicle-width direction. In this way, the sense of distance between the occupants seated in the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat is reduced. As a result, it is possible to promote communication between these occupants (to make it easier for these occupants to communicate with each other).