Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network having a path to carry a reference clock and an adjustable delay element disposed along the path, and first and second clock domains coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock and configured to be driven by respective clock waveforms, each of which has a frequency in common with the reference clock. The digital system further includes a phase detector coupled to the first and second clock domains to generate a phase difference signal based on the clock waveforms, and a control circuit coupled to the phase detector and configured to adjust the adjustable delay element based on the phase difference signal.

Abstract: Associative memories capable of outputting multiple reference data close to search data are provided. A memory array compares each of the multiple reference data with the search data in parallel and generates multiple comparison current signals representing the result of the comparison. A WLA converts the multiple comparison current signals into voltages. During the first cycle, the WLA detects the lowest voltage among the voltages as Winner and detects the remaining voltages as Loser. After the second cycle, based on feedback signals, the WLA detects all the voltages other than a voltage detected as Winner during the last preceding cycle, and detects the lowest voltage among the detected voltages as Winner and detects the remaining detected voltages as Loser. The WLA repeats these operations k times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to screening methods for diagnosis, prognosis, or susceptibility to cancer in a subject by means of detecting the presence of serum autoantibodies to specific annexin protein antigens in sera from subjects. The present invention also provides screening methods for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer in a subject by means of detecting increased expression levels of annexin proteins in biological samples of the subject. The method of the invention can also be used to identify subjects at risk for developing cancer. The method of the invention involves the use of subject derived biological samples to determine the occurrence and level of expression of annexin proteins or expression of annexin derived peptides or antigens, and/or the occurrence and level of circulating autoantibodies to specific annexin protein antigens. The present invention further provides for kits for carrying out the above described screening methods.

Abstract: A non-linear interpolation circuit includes current interpolation units and an I-V converter. The current interpolation units receive an operating voltage corresponding to digital image data and corresponding reference voltages to generate corresponding operating currents. When the operating voltage changes, at least one of the corresponding current interpolation units generate the corresponding operating current, and the operating currents with respect to the operating voltage are superimposed to form an interpolation current. The I-V converter converts the interpolation current into an interpolation voltage. An interpolation current generating circuit and a method for converting digital data into analog data are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing droplets of reagent onto samples includes a probe tip to which droplets of reagent can adhere. The apparatus advances the probe tip toward a sample until a droplet of reagent touches the sample and is pulled off from the probe tip. A sensor detects that the droplet has been pulled off from the probe tip and halts the advance of the probe tip before the probe tip touches the sample. Such apparatus may be used to automatically dispense small volumes of reagent onto fragile samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital to analog converter, to a return-to-zero digital to analog converter with improved wideband characteristics by enabling a return-to-zero output without separate clock and controller, and a converting method thereof. Since the return-to-zero digital to analog converter and the converting method thereof are capable of outputting an RZ output without directly providing a clock signal to an analog circuit by configuring a switch for generating a zero point signal and a differential pipeline for providing a differential signal to control the switch according to input digital data using a differential structure, the converter can provide wideband characteristics and high dynamic performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a metal ion imprinted polymer which can selectively separate heavy metal ions, comprising: (a) reacting a metal salt and a monomer to make a monomer containing a metal ion group; (b) mixing the monomer containing the metal ion group, a cross-linker and an initiator in a solvent; (c) suspension polymerizing or emulsion polymerizing the obtained mixture to obtain a metal ion imprinted polymer containing a metal ion; and (d) removing the imprinted metal ion from said metal ion imprinted polymer.

Abstract: Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and software arrangement are provided that use a fast adaptive multiscale procedure to characterize a random set of points spanning a high dimensional Euclidean space, and concentrated around special lower dimensional subsets. The procedure can be adapted to analyze gene expression data from microarray experiments, and may be applied generally to existing datasets without regard to whether a particular model exists to otherwise describe the dataset. The procedure accordingly can be used for identifying and mathematically isolating stable sets of data points in a given dataset from those in the same dataset that deviate from a stable model under various conditions.

Abstract: A glassy metal composite material includes: a Mg-based amorphous metal matrix; and a plurality of porous metal particles dispersed in the Mg-based amorphous metal matrix. The Mg-based amorphous metal matrix penetrates into pores in the porous metal particles. The porous metal particles have a hardness less than that of the Mg-based amorphous metal matrix.

Abstract: Cobalt (II) complexes of porphyrins are effective catalysts for intramolecular nitrene insertion of C—H bonds with arylsulfonyl azides. The cobalt-catalyzed process can proceed efficiently under mild and neutral conditions in low catalyst loading without the need of other reagents or additives, generating nitrogen gas as the only byproduct.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of ?-glutamyl antioxidants, particularly ?-glutamyl-cysteine, as cytoprotective agents to prevent reperfusion injury (i.e., hemorrhagic transformation) of the blood-brain barrier during reperfusion following an ischemic stroke. The ?-glutamyl antioxidants can be used alone or used in combination with an agent which inhibits the reverse movement of Na/Ca exchange in the blood-brain barrier such as 2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulphonate (KB-R7943).

Abstract: An optical sensor according to the present invention significantly enhances the sensitivity of an optical sensor for molecular measurement using light such as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering and Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy utilizing the local plasmon's excitation of a noble metal. By using a transparent substance deposition step for forming a large number of anisotropic nano-columns having a predetermined aspect ratio, with their longitudinal direction and transverse direction aligned, by depositing a transparent substance onto a substrate from an oblique position while periodically inverting the position and a noble metal deposition step for depositing a noble metal onto surfaces of the formed anisotropic nano-columns, it is possible to manufacture an optical sensor with very high sensitivity at very low cost.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microscope and a method for using the microscope for single molecule with reduced photobleaching of a fluorophore (20) that includes a light translucent material (16); a metal layer (18) disposed on the light translucent material (16); a medium (15) disposed on the metal layer (18), the medium (15) having one or more fluorophores (20) capable of binding a target analyte (e.g.

Abstract: A method of reducing threading dislocation densities in non-polar such as a-{11-20} plane and m-{1-100} plane or semi-polar such as {10-1n} plane III-Nitrides by employing lateral epitaxial overgrowth from sidewalls of etched template material through a patterned mask. The method includes depositing a patterned mask on a template material such as a non-polar or semi polar GaN template, etching the template material down to various depths through openings in the mask, and growing non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride by coalescing laterally from the tops of the sidewalls before the vertically growing material from the trench bottoms reaches the tops of the sidewalls. The coalesced features grow through the openings of the mask, and grow laterally over the dielectric mask until a fully coalesced continuous film is achieved.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) film materials. The method includes mixing a relatively small amount of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with larger amounts of MWNTs and CNFs, which enables one to produce highly flexible SWNT materials—advantageously without the need for bonding agents and at significantly lower costs compared to flexible SWNT materials. The method exploits SWNTs tendency to entangle together to form flexible films, using a small amount of SWNTs to wrap around and entangle the larger diameter MWNTs and CNFs together to form flexible films with highly beneficial mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties at a fraction of the cost of SWNT materials.

Abstract: A flame or heat flux protective coating composition, which includes a dispersion of fiberglass, hollow glass spheres, or a combination of both in silicone. A flame or heat flux protective sheet, which includes hollow glass spheres dispersed in silicone in a sheet form or fiberglass and silicone in a sheet form, wherein the fiberglass is dispersed in the silicone or the fiberglass is a woven cloth coated with the silicone is also presented. Articles incorporating the flame or heat flux protective coating or sheet form and methods for coating an article with the flame or heat flux protective coating composition are also presented.

Abstract: To provide a wireless IC tag which is readable even in a plurality of countries (destination countries) using different radio frequency bands for reading. The wireless IC tag of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a case (20); an antenna (60), which is provided in the case (20); a metal plate (901), which is disposed in the case opposite to the antenna (60); and a mechanism for altering the resonance characteristics of the wireless IC tag (10) by moving at least one of the antenna (60) and the metal plate (901) in the case (20), thereby altering the distance (D) between the metal plate (901) and the antenna (60). With such wireless IC tag (10), the capacitance of an equivalent tuning capacitor consisting of the antenna (60) and the metal plate (901) can be arbitrarily altered by a distance alteration unit, and thereby, the resonance characteristics of the wireless IC tag (10) can be altered in accordance with the frequency band of reading radio wave used by a reader/writer.

Abstract: A power converter capable of improving converter's efficiency and achieving zero-voltage-switching is provided, in which a first series circuit is connected in parallel with a direct current (DC) power supply and has a first inductor, a first primary winding, first and second switching elements connected in series. A second series circuit is connected in parallel with the DC power supply and has third and fourth switching elements, a first capacitor, a second primary winding and a second inductor connected in series. A second capacitor is connected between a first node between the first primary winding and the first switching element in the first series circuit and a second node between the fourth switching element and the second primary winding in the second series circuit. A third node between the first and second switching elements is connected to a fourth node within the second series circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for supporting a road support including: a base plate fixedly disposed on ground in such a manner as to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the surface of ground; a slip plate slidably disposed on the top surface of the base plate; a coupling body protruded upwardly from the center portion of the top surface of the slip plate in such a manner as to be insertedly coupled to the inner lower end portion of a support body; and a plurality of clips each having an approximately ‘’ or ‘C’-like shape so as to receive the edges of the base plate and the slip plate thereinto, each of the plurality of clips having a fixing bolt fastened to a female screw passed through the top end portion thereof so as to compressedly support the top surface of the slip plate.