Abstract: The present invention is directed to realize a stable and highly-efficient quantum communication without being influenced by the jitter of the heralding signal. In regard to the quantum encryption transmitting apparatus 200, the pulse-driven heralded single-photon source 201 generates a photon pair, outputs one photon of the photon pair, and outputs the other photon of the photon pair as a heralding signal. The timing adjuster 202 synchronizes the heralding signal with a clock signal for pulse driving the pulse-driven heralded single-photon source 201, and outputs as a trigger signal. The quantum communication modulating unit 203 implements the signal modulation to a quantum signal, in timing with the trigger signal, and transmits the quantum signal to the quantum encryption receiving apparatus 300 via the quantum communication path 101. The heralding signal transmitting unit 205 transmits the heralding signal to the quantum encryption receiving apparatus 300 via the heralding signal communication path 102.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for reducing the PAPR. The method involves (i) intentionally inserting error(s) into the time or frequency domain and (ii) employing various bit mapping schemes to provide a significant reduction in the PAPR. An embodiment of the error insertion of the method involves intentionally inserting symbol error(s) into the quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbol stream before applying discrete Fourier transform in OFDM. The method trades off the coding gain of the system for the PAPR reduction of the OFDM signals and does not require transmission of side information. It further has reduced complexity and improved bit error rate (BER) performance when used with a typical non-linear amplifier as compared to alternative existing methods (Gray coding, tone injection, tone reservation, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for research, diagnostic, drug screening, and therapeutic applications related to paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis and related conditions. In particular, the present invention provides mutations in the myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 (MR-1) gene associated with such conditions.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for fast and efficient isolation, purification and quantitation of nucleic acids from complex biological samples using isotachophoresis in microchannels. In an embodiment, a sieving medium may be used to enhance selectivity. In another embodiment, PCR-friendly chemistries are used to purify nucleic acids from complex biological samples and yield nucleic acids ready for further analysis including for PCR. In another embodiment, small RNAs from biological samples are extracted, isolated, preconcentrated and quantitated using on-chip ITP with a high efficiency sieving medium. The invention enables fast concentration and separation (takes 10s to 100s of seconds) of nucleic acids with high selectivity and using lower volumes of reagents (order of 10s of ?L to focus less than 1 pg/?L of nucleic acid).

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for determining the rate of gas permeation through a film is described. The system comprises a continuous flow permeation cell, a mass spectrometer, a test gas source, and a carrier gas source. The continuous flow permeation cell comprises a supply chamber in communication with the test gas source and a receiving chamber in communication with the carrier gas source and the mass spectrometer. The supply chamber is configured to be separated from the receiving chamber by a test film such that when a test gas stream is fed to the supply chamber from the test gas source and a carrier gas stream is fed to the receiving chamber from the carrier gas source. At least a portion of the test gas stream permeates from the supply chamber through the test film to the receiving chamber and mixes with the carrier gas stream and the mixture flows to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and imaging a sample containing molecules of interest combines modified MALDI mass spectrometer and SNOM devices and techniques, and includes: (A) an atmospheric-pressure or near-atmospheric-pressure ionization region; (B) a sample holder for holding the sample; (C) a laser for illuminating said sample; (D) a mass spectrometer having at least one evacuated vacuum chamber; (E) an atmospheric pressure interface connecting said ionization region and said mass spectrometer; (F) a scanning near-field optical microscopy instrument comprising a near-field probe for scanning the sample; a vacuum capillary nozzle for sucking in particles which are desorbed by said laser, the nozzle being connected to an inlet orifice of said atmospheric pressure interface; a scanner platform connected to the sample holder, the platform being movable to a distance within a near-field distance of the probe; and a controller for maintaining distance information about a current distance between said probe

Abstract: A membrane fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between two composite electrode plates. The membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between the composite electrode plates, and includes an anode, a cathode, two catalyst layers sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the catalyst layers. Each of the composite electrode plates includes at least one porous layer, at least one conductive layer attached to the porous layer, and at least one partition attached to the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for reducing pigmentation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like cell, which includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a first cell population from a mammalian tissue or body fluid, wherein the first cell population comprises adult stem cells; (b) obtaining a second somatic cell population from a mammalian tissue, wherein the mammalian tissue is different from the mammalian tissue in step (a) and the second cell population is different from the first cell population; (c) coculturing the first cell population and the second cell population in a medium for a period of time sufficient to form a colony from either the first cell population or the second cell population; and (d) subculturing a cell from the colony in a medium for a period time sufficient to prepare the ESC-like cell.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a super-aligned carbon nanotube array includes the following steps: (1) providing a flat and smooth substrate (11); (2) depositing a catalyst layer (12) on the substrate at a rate of less than about 5 nm/s; (3) annealing the catalyst layer at atmosphere; (4) positioning the substrate with the catalyst layer into a furnace; (5) heating the furnace up to a predetermined temperature; and (6) supplying a reaction gas into the furnace, thereby growing a number of carbon nanotubes (22) on the substrate, via the catalyst layer, such that the carbon nanotube array is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein binding interacting/binding compounds and methods of identifying and using them. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating 5-HT2C disorders, including diseases and disorders mediated by GPCRs.

Abstract: Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been found to be directly oxidized, and direct oxidation of CaMKII was observed to result in calcium independent activation of CaMKII. Antibodies that bind specifically to oxidized forms of CaMKII (oxCaMKII) were generated and were utilized to detect oxCaMKII in blood from: (1) mice with cancer; (2) mice with a knock out of the gene encoding methionine sulfoxide reductase; (3) mice injected with angiotensin II; (4) mice injected with bacterial endotoxin; (5) mice fed a pro-oxidant (ketogenic) diet; and (6) mice with cancer that had been treated with experimental therapy.

Abstract: A scanning device processes a multi-point simultaneous acquisition. The acquisition is processed for an infra-red diffuse optical tomography. An intensity modulated light is used with a frequency domain analysis theorem to obtain a reconstructed scanning image. The fibers are capable of a vertical movement and a radial movement. Thus, a precise image showing optical-information data is obtained with a low cost, even through scanning at a minimal angle.

Abstract: A phase change material is applied as a very thin film to a transparent substrate such as glass, which material when switched from the amorphous to the crystalline state and back again can affect the reflectivity/transmittance of the combined substrate-coating system. When used with glass panels in the fabrication of relatively large area window glass, the change in spectrally selective transmittance can be used to modulate the amount of sunlight passing through the glass, and thus reduce the amount of cooling required for an interior space in the summertime, and the amount of heating required of that same interior space in the wintertime, while also optimizing the use of visible daylight. Exemplary of a suitable phase change material for glass coating is GeSb or BiSn. Heating of the phase change material to initiate a change in phase can be provided by the application of electric energy, such as supplied from a pulsed power supply, or radiant energy, such as from a laser.

Abstract: A system and method includes administering interventional agents to Patient until Patient attains a predetermined plane of anesthesia; amplifying and digitizing brain waves of Patient before and after administering step to generate first set of digital data; amplifying and digitizing brain waves of Patient during a medical procedure to generate second set of digital data; computing separate trajectories for at least two different indices of an anesthetic state of Patient during the medical procedure using a comparison of first and second sets (the indices including Depth Index (DI)—a depth of anesthesia, Memory Index (MI)—an ability to form and store memories, and Pain Index (PI)—sensitivity to pain); and determining an amount of at least one of the interventional agents to be delivered to Patient as a function of the trajectories, the interventional agents include anesthetic, analgesic and/or amnesic agents corresponding to DI, MI and/or PI trajectories.

Abstract: Novel ent-kaurene diterpene compound and its derivatives, their preparation methods and their use. ent-Kaurene diterpene in the present invention could be used as desired intermediates for preparing asymmetric organic compounds and medicaments, and could be used as antitumor agent, anti-inflammatory agent and immune agent etc. The said ent-kaurene diterpene compound could be condensed with hydroxyl compounds to obtain various acetal derivatives, could be reacted with amine compounds to obtain various amino derivatives, and could be reacted with acyl halide or acid anhydride to obtain various acyl derivatives.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle which forms a regular polyhedron and has not conventionally existed is realized. In addition, a three-dimensional puzzle which realizes a Fedrov space filling solid and has not conventionally existed is realized. According to the invention, a three-dimensional puzzle is provided having a regular polyhedron consisting of a plurality of convex polyhedrons which fill an interior of the regular polyhedron comprising the plurality of convex polyhedrons having a plurality of a pair of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship, wherein the plurality of convex polyhedrons are indivisible into two or more congruent shaped polyhedrons. In addition, the plurality of convex polyhedrons may be four convex polyhedrons and include three pairs of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship. Further the plurality of convex polyhedrons may be five convex polyhedrons and include four pairs of convex polyhedrons in a mirroring image relationship.

Abstract: A variety of phase-separated biocompatible polymer compositions are described. In preferred embodiments the polymers are bioresorbable and/or biodegradable, and have desirable mechanical properties, such as fracture and/or fatigue toughness, that have previously not been a primary design criteria for such polymers. The polymer compositions are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in the fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to ionic liquids comprising a pendant Bronsted-acidic group, e.g., a sulfonic acid group. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an ionic liquid comprising a pendant Bronsted-acidic group to catalyze a Bronsted-acid-catalyzed chemical reaction. A third aspect of the present invention relates to ionic liquids comprising a pendant nucleophilic group, e.g., an amine. Still another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an ionic liquid comprising a pendant nucleophilic group to catalyze a nucleophile-assisted chemical reaction. A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an ionic liquid comprising a pendant nucleophilic group to remove a gaseous impurity, e.g., carbon dioxide, from a gas, e.g., sour natural gas.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for attaching a nucleic acid to a solid surface and for sequencing nucleic acid by detecting the identity of each nucleotide analogue after the nucleotide analogue is incorporated into a growing strand of DNA in a polymerase reaction. The invention also provides nucleotide analogues which comprise unique labels attached to the nucleotide analogue through a cleavable linker, and a cleavable chemical group to cap the —OH group at the 3?-position of the deoxyribose.