Abstract: A reflective display having a plurality of transparent hemi-beads (120), each having a reflective region (80) surrounding a non-reflective region (82). Each hemi-bead has an associated light absorptive fluid droplet (122) having a normally relaxed shape contacting the non-reflective region, thereby frustrating total internal reflection of light rays at the droplet/hemi-bead interface. An electrical potential is selectably applied across selected droplets. Application of the electrical potential across a droplet deforms the droplet away from the hemi-bead associated with the droplet, such that light rays (158) incident on the non-reflective region are refracted toward substrate (124) and reflected back through hemi-bead (120) in an approximately opposite direction (166); and such that light rays (162) incident on the reflective region are semi-retro-reflected (168). Removal of the electrical potential allows the droplet to resume the relaxed shape.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the delay time to extremely short by monitoring the output/distribution unit of the exchange node to specify the unused time slot as write destination of the data and performing priority control by the priority control signal contained in the data. The traffic congestion is resolved by performing write output to the specified time slot regardless of the communication speed of the transmission path of the data. Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide the exchange node and the exchange node control method that ensures communication quality by using the connection type as the communication method since the delay time in communication can be reduced. The exchange node 100 according to the present invention includes an input buffer unit 2, an identification unit 7, a distribution unit 5, a multiplexing circuit 9, a time slot allocation circuit 12, and an output/distribution unit 10.

Abstract: A multi-variable model analysis system comprises a model creation unit for creating a plurality of models individually having a plurality of variables, a characteristic value calculation unit for calculating the characteristic values of the models on the basis of the variables of the models given and for writing the variables and characteristic values of the models, a clustering unit for classifying the plural models having the characteristic values of a high similarity, into an identical cluster; a correlation coefficient calculation unit for calculating the correlation coefficients of the variables of the models in individual clusters and for writing the correlation coefficients in a memory map; and an extraction unit for extracting the variable having a correlation coefficient exceeding a predetermined value in the individual clusters, from the memory map.

Abstract: The invention provides a CR2-FH molecule comprising a CR2 portion comprising CR2 protein or a fragment thereof and a FH portion comprising a factor H protein or a fragment thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a CR2-FH molecule. Also provided are methods of using the compositions for treatment diseases in which the alternative complement pathway is implicated, such as age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, and ischemia reperfusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-cancer composition, which comprises a sulfur-containing compound thiacremonone as an active ingredient. The active ingredient induces the death of cancer cells by apoptosis through the action of specific inhibition of the activity of NF-?B. The composition can be effectively used in the treatment or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleotide monomers, polynucleotides, methods of making each, methods of deprotecting each, and the like are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microemulsions of immiscible fluids stabilized by reactive ionic liquid surfactant wherein the ionic liquid surfactant has a melting point less than 80° C. The invention also relates to composite materials comprising a copolymer of ethylenically reactive species, wherein one of the species is a reactive ionic liquid surfactant having a melting point less than 80° C., and wherein the material also comprises non-reactive Class I fluid. The invention further relates to methods for synthesizing the composite materials comprising preparing a microemulsion of immiscible Class I fluid and Class II fluid stabilized by reactive ionic liquid surfactant wherein the ionic liquid surfactant has a melting point less than 80° C., and polymerizing the microemulsion to form a composite material.

Abstract: A method for generating output data identifying a class of a predetermined plurality of classes. The method comprises receiving data representing an acoustic signal; determining an amplitude of at least a first predetermined frequency component of said acoustic signal; and comparing the or each amplitude with a respective primary threshold; and generating output data identifying one of said classes to which said acoustic signal should be allocated, based upon said comparison.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical sensor for detecting chemical reaction activity, including, e.g., enzyme activity and catalytic or reactive molecule activity. An optical sensor of the invention includes a porous photonic film that produces a predetermined spectral reflectance response. In preferred embodiments, the film has a chemical coating (such as a hydrophobic layer) within its pores with an affinity for the reaction product(s) of the catalytic or otherwise reactive analyte A coating can also act as a protective layer in preferred embodiment. A thin substrate susceptible to reaction by at least one analyte of interest is on the surface of the thin film to block pores of the thin film. A method of detecting chemical reaction activity of the invention exposes the optical sensor to an analyte of interest, such as an enzyme or otherwise catalytic or reactive molecule.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device (MLSD), system and method are provided having at least one magnetostrictive particle (MSP) to which is bound at least one binding element. The MSP may be dispersed in a sample containing a target ligand such that the target ligand binds thereto. A driver is also provided to emit a varying magnetic field such that the MSP produces a resonance response detectable by a measurement device configured to receive and detect changes in the resonance response that are due to alterations of the binding element. The MLSD and assays find use in identifying and quantitating ligands as well as chemicals and environmental conditions in a sample or patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for digital transport of paramagnetic particles. The systems and methods may include providing a magnetic garnet film having a plurality of magnetic domain walls, disposing a liquid solution on a surface of the magnetic garnet film, wherein the liquid solution includes a plurality of paramagnetic particles, and applying an external field to transport at least a portion of the paramagnetic particles from a first magnetic domain wall to a second magnetic domain wall of the plurality of magnetic domain walls.

Abstract: A conversational recommender system retrieves k cases (3) and generates a structure for user feedback (4). The structure includes a list of critique units for each of which the user can specify a value range. It also generates compound critiques, each being a combination of features and value ranges presented together. An explanation of a compound critique can be generated in response to a user request. The system determines (7), from one cycle of a session to the next, if a preference has been carried. If so, a re-focus function implementing diversity is used for retrieval in the next cycle. If not, a refine function implementary similarity-based retrieval is used for the next cycle of the session.

Abstract: Provided are an organic electroluminescence device having high luminous efficiency and a long emission lifetime, and a transition metal complex compound realizing the organic electroluminescence device. In the transition metal complex compound, three ligands are crosslinked with a crosslinking group having a saturated cyclic structure or a saturated polycyclic structure in a tripod manner. The organic electroluminescence device includes an organic thin film layer composed of one or multiple layers including at least a light emitting layer, the organic thin film layer being interposed between a pair of electrodes. In the organic electroluminescence device, at least one layer of the organic thin film layer contains the transition metal complex compound.

Abstract: A method employing a statistic means to test whether or not luminance signals around a point of interest are distributed according to the same probability distribution with respect to luminance signals of respective pixels constituting the image; determining a range where the same probability distribution can be regarded as being satisfied, estimating the true luminance value of the point of interest by using the luminance data of the range. Especially when the image signals are faint to such an extent that the intensity of the luminance signal is based on the Poisson distribution, it is effective to perform a smoothing processing for each of the probability distributions of the signals and the noises by a test of a uniformity of the Poisson distribution, enabling a clear and denoised image to be obtained.

Abstract: A machine and method for the continuous folding of sheet material into different three-dimensional patterns. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern into the sheet material, the patterns selectively including one of a Chevron pattern, a honeycomb-like pattern, a double-sided inclined folded core structure, and singular inclined direction folded core structure sheet material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses a flow-control methodology to control sprays at very high precision and frequency. The device is based on an enhanced Coanda effect. The control flow is selectively applied to the region in which we desire the jet to vector and control the profile (width) of the jet. In one embodiment, the control flow is applied at the desired circumferential location by the action of a rotting disk with a flow passage of a size that spreads the jet the desired amount. The size of this flow passage may be controlled by using two overlapping disks with large holes in each. By rotating one disk relative to the other, the size of the resultant passage can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA encoding a human Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-14 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-14 protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-14 protein. Also, provided is a vector capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention adapted for expression in a recombinant cell and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in the cell.

Abstract: A porous composition comprising a hydroxyapatite material, as can be made from a mixture of calcium phosphate, calcium oxide and a removable inorganic porogen. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making such a porous hydroxyapatite material or using a ternary system to prepare a two-phase composition enroute to a biomimetic bone material.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an article comprising a nanoscale surface pattern, such as a grating, is provided with a nanoscale patterns of reduced edge and/or sidewall roughness. Smooth featured articles, can be fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a mold having sloped profile molding features. Another approach uses a mold especially fabricated to provide smooth sidewalls of reduced roughness, and a third approach adds a post-imprint smoothing step. These approaches can be utilized individually or in various combinations to make the novel articles.

Abstract: The invention provides, among other aspects, compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of collagen VI; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); and disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation.