Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for measuring a CNC machine. The system comprises a platform, a driving module, a set of optical scales, and a detection module. The platform is driven by the driving module. In addition, the driving module further comprises a set of encoders. As the driving module drives the platform to move to a position by a first displacement, the encoders indicate the first displacement. The optical scales indicate a second displacement by which the platform is driven by the driving module. The detection module detects the difference between the first displacement and the second displacement.

Abstract: A device and method for producing a third harmonic signal from an optical pulse of wavelength k. In the device and method, an optical pulse at a wavelength k is incident on a material including at least one molecule having a formula D—U—A, where D is an electron donor group, A is an electron acceptor group, and ? is a conjugated structure having it bonds that connect D to A. The molecule exhibits a strong absorption band centered at a wavelengthko and a weakly absorbing region centered at a wavelength k, which is less than Xo. A wavelength k/2 has a value of about Xo, and a wavelength k/3 has a value of about X1. A third harmonic signal at k/3 is generated. From a measured third harmonic signal as a function of a time delay for separate optical pulses entering the material, at least one of a pulse width and a pulse shape of the optical pulse can be extracted. From a spectrally resolved third harmonic signal, a phase of the optical pulse can be extracted.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical device having an electrically conductive nano-cantilever wherein the nano-cantilever has a free end that is movable relative to an electrically conductive substrate such as an electrode of a circuit. The circuit includes a power source connected to the electrode and to the nano-cantilever for providing a pull-in or pull-out voltage therebetween to effect bending movement of the nano-cantilever relative to the electrode. Feedback control is provided for varying the voltage between the electrode and the nano-cantilever in response to the position of the cantilever relative to the electrode. The device provides two stable positions of the nano-cantilever and a hysteresis loop in the current-voltage space between the pull-in voltage and the pull-out voltage.

Abstract: This invention features an antibody specifically binding to human IL-20 (e.g., mAb 7E and a equivalent thereof) and its use in treating an IL-20 associated inflammatory disease, such as atherosclerosis, RA, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, bacteria-induced gastric ulcer, and acute renal failure.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a permeable membrane, comprising the steps of aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat, coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane. The membrane is etched (a) to open the plurality of hollow nanotubules and form pores and (b) to oxidize the carboxyl groups to carboxylate groups. At least one additional functional unit having at least one available amine group to bind the at least one additional functional unit to the nanotubule end carboxylate group may be provided. Membranes fabricated in accordance with the method of the invention are provided also.

Abstract: Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a receptor for a satiety factor, which is involved in body weight homeostasis. Mutations in this receptor are associated with obese phenotypes. In particular, the present invention relates to identification and characterization of the receptor for leptin, including a naturally occurring soluble form of the receptor that is expected to modulate leptin activity, in particular to agonize leptin activity. The invention further relates to the nucleic acids encoding the receptor, and to methods for using the receptor, e.g., to identify leptin analogs, therapeutically, such as in gene therapy or in soluble form as an agonist or antagonist of leptin activity, or diagnostically.

Abstract: A method of producing powder with a high tannin content includes pulverizing a tannin-containing plant such as bark of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and classifying the pulverized material into fine particles having a desired particle size, for example, fine particles having a particle diameter of 100 to 1,000 ?m or less. A powder with a high tannin content is produced by such a method. The thus obtained powder with a high tannin content exhibits excellent characteristics when used as an adhesive, a binder, etc. for wood materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quilt packaging system for microchip, a method for making such a quilt packaging system, microchips that may be used in a such a quilt packaging system, and methods for making such microchips.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a translucent portion; forming a covering layer comprised of one or more metals on the translucent portion by vapor deposition; providing kinetic energy to the covering layer for forming a periodic mask; forming a periodic structure on the translucent portion by using the periodic mask.

Abstract: Sensors comprising aptazymes capable of detecting the presence and concentration of effectors, as well as methods of using such sensors, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Example of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.

Abstract: A low-noise amplifier is provided according to the present invention. The low-noise amplifier includes a first amplifier stage, a second amplifier stage, a third amplifier stage, an input matching network, inter-stage matching networks, and an output matching network. The impedance of the input matching network and the input impedance of the first amplifier stage are conjugate matched, thereby decreasing system power consumption and noise factor. The system gain is enhanced by cascading three stages of amplifiers.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to recording digital data on an optically ablatable digital storage media. In one embodiment, a device configured to ablate portions of ablatable material on an optically ablatable digital storage media receives digital data that is to be recorded on a recording layer of an optically ablatable digital storage media. The recording layer is formed on a substrate with zero or more intervening layers between the recording layer and the substrate. The recording layer includes ablatable material capable of storing digital data. The device ablates the ablatable material in the recording layer according to a sequence defined by the received digital data such that the ablated portions correspond to data points of the received digital data.

Abstract: The growth of normal and abnormally proliferating cells can be inhibited by the introduction of agnoprotein, or biologically active fragments or derivatives of agnoprotein, into the cell in the absence of any other polyoma virus protein or viral replication.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic modification of plants, particularly to the expression of P-glycoprotein genes in transformed plants. Nucleotide sequences for the Br2 gene encoding a P-glycoprotein of maize and methods for their use are provided. The sequences find use in modifying the growth of plants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a video summarization system and the method thereof. A similarity computing apparatus computes the similarity between each frame to obtain multiple similarity values. A key frame extracting apparatus chooses the key frames from the frames wherein the sum of the similarity values between the key frames is a minimum. A feature space mapping apparatus converts the sentences into multiple corresponding sentence vectors and computes the distance between each sentence vector to obtain multiple distance values. A clustering apparatus divides the sentences into multiple clusters according to the distance values and the importance of the sentences, and also applies a splitting step to split the cluster with the highest importance into multiple new clusters. A key sentence extracting apparatus chooses multiple key sentence from the clusters, wherein the sum of the importance of the key sentences is the maximum.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a copper oxide nanoparticle, a catalyst that includes the copper oxide nanoparticle, and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The catalyst can be used to catalyze a chemical reaction (e.g., oxidizing carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2)).

Abstract: We tested the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a recombinant bispecific immunotoxin that recognizes both EGFRwt and tumor-specific EGFRvIII receptors. A single chain antibody was cloned from a hybridoma and fused to toxin, carrying a C-terminal peptide which increases retention within cells. The binding affinity and specificity of the recombinant bispecific immunotoxin for the EGFRwt and the EGFRvIII proteins was measured. In vitro cytotoxicity was measured. In vivo activity of the recombinant bispecific immunotoxin was evaluated in subcutaneous models and compared to that of an established monospecific immunotoxin. In our preclinical studies, the bispecific recombinant immunotoxin, exhibited significant potential for treating brain tumors.

Abstract: The present invention describes an extraction system (100,100a) for expediting removal of a footing (105) that is embedded in a seabed or marine floor. The extraction system provides a supply of pressurized fluid (140) to a chamber from where the pressurized fluid exudes through porous members (122,122a, etc) located on the base (114) of the footing (105). When an uplifting force is applied to the footing (105) for its removal, the pressurized fluid (140) exudes out through the porous member (122,122a, etc.) to compensate or reduce suction induced beneath the footing, without fluidizing or channeling of the seabed soil, thereby expediting removal of the footing (105).