Abstract: A gold-cobalt based amorphous alloy plated film consisting of a homogeneous amorphous phase not having microcrystals is formed by electroplating conducted by use of an electroplating bath containing a gold cyanide salt in a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mol/dm3 in terms of gold, a cobalt salt in a concentration of 0.02 to 0.2 mol/dm3 in terms of cobalt, and a tungstate in a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5 mol/dm3 in terms of tungsten. The gold-cobalt based amorphous alloy plated film obtained consists of a homogeneous amorphous phase not having microcrystals, and has an enhanced hardness while retaining the good contact resistance and chemical stability intrinsic of gold on such levels as to be free of problems on a practical use basis; therefore, the gold-cobalt based amorphous alloy plated film is effective for use as a contact material in electric and electronic component parts such as relays.

Abstract: A method of separating signals from at least two species in a body using echo-coherent time magnetic resonance imaging is provided. A plurality of echo signals is acquired at acquisition times optimized based on the noise properties of images with different variance with possibly correlated noise resulting in possibly asymmetrically positioned images with respect to an echo time. The plurality of echo signals is combined iteratively by using a maximum likelihood decomposition algorithm for non-identically distributed noise.

Abstract: A method for creating a magnetic resonance image of an object with at least a first species and a second species, wherein the first species has a first T2 time and the second species has a second T2 time longer than the first T2 time is provided. An excitation with an ultra short echo time using a pulse is provided, comprising a first subpulse that creates a transverse magnetization component for the first species and the second species and a second subpulse that creates a transverse magnetization for the first species and substantially returns the second species to a longitudinal axis, wherein the transverse magnetization component substantially decays for the first species during an interval between the first subpulse and the second subpulse. At least one echo is read. A magnetic resonance image is created from the at least one echo.

Abstract: A visualization system for heterogeneous data sets comprises: a unique visualization interface created by a visualization engine. The visualization interface comprises a first area defining a center of attention, second area defining a parameter space and a plurality of correlation elements. The first area is a two-dimensional space for the display of items of interest. The second area provides a space in which parameters associated with the items of interest can be displayed. The correlation elements indicate relationships and their strength between items of interest and parameters in the second area. The visualization engine preferably comprises an input module, a control module, a retrieving module, a rendering module, and an analysis module. These components are coupled together to receive input from a user, retrieve data from a data source, and present the unique visualization interface to the user.

Abstract: Portable devices for treating stuttering or communication disorders include a circuit configured to automatically electronically select sua sponte different signal parameters and/or sound effect algorithms used to generate varied altered auditory feedback signals to a user over time.

Abstract: The invention provides detectably labeled cobalamin derivatives which are useful for medical treatment and diagnosis.

Abstract: Method for preparing an implantable device for a sustained delivery of a substance within a body of a human or an animal subject, the method including; dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a suitable solvent solution to produce a polymer-solvent solution; adding the substance to the polymer-solvent solution to produce a polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture; drying the polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture to form a substantially dry mass; and one or more of the following three steps: (1) adding a second polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture to the dry mass and this second polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture is then allowed to dry; and/or, (2) refrigerating the mass; and/or, (3) adding a liquid to the mass to cause the mass to soften and thereafter manipulating the softened mass to a desired shape.

Abstract: Anhydrous organic fluoride salts and reagents prepared by a method comprising the nucleophilic substitution of a fluorinated aromatic or fluorinated unsaturated organic compound with a salt having the formula: [QnM]x+Ax? in an inert polar, aprotic solvent; wherein M is an atom capable of supporting a formal positive charge, the n groups Q are independently varied organic moieties, n is an integer such that the [QnM] carries at least one formal positive charge, x is an integer defining the number of formal positive charge(s), +, carried by the [QnM], A? is an anionic nucleophile capable of substituting for F in the fluorinated compound and F represents fluorine or a radioisotope thereof.

Abstract: Methods for altering levels in plants of one or more phenolic compounds that are intermediates or final products of the plant phenylpropanoid pathway are provided. One method comprises transforming a plant cell with an expression construct comprising a nucleic acid which encodes a transactivator protein comprising the myb domain of the maize “ZmMyb-IF35” protein and an activation domain. Another method comprises transforming a plant cell with an expression construct comprising a transgene which encodes an antisense ZmMyb-IF35 RNA. The present invention also relates to expression constructs and vectors used in the present methods, transformed plant cells and transgenic plants prepared according to the present methods, and the seeds of such transgenic plants.

Abstract: The membrane scaffold proteins (MSP) of the present invention assemble with hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic proteins to form soluble nanoscale particles which preserve native structure and function; they are improved over liposomes and detergent micelles, in terms of stability and preservation of biological activity and native conformation. In the presence of phospholipid, MSPs form nanoscopic phospholipid bilayer disks, with the MSP stabilizing the particle at the perimeter of the bilayer domain. The particle bilayer structure allows manipulation of incorporated proteins in solution or on solid supports, including for use with such surface-sensitive techniques as scanning probe microscopy or surface plasmon resonance. The nanoscale particles, which are robust in terms of integrity and maintenance of biological activity of incorporated proteins, facilitate pharmaceutical and biological research, structure/function correlations, structure determinations, bioseparations, and drug discovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a structure of a flip-flop that is tolerant to the noise pulses occurring due to the presence of crosstalk faults by sampling the input data multiple times before and after the active clock edge. The final stored value at the flip-flop is determined by the resolution of a counter circuit residing in the flip-flop, which is activated at the change of the sampled input data. This counter based resolution mechanism allows for the detection and filtering of the noise pulse induced at the input of the flip-flop due to a crosstalk fault.

Abstract: A digital communication system based on the use of chaotic carriers is disclosed. For each symbol to be sent, the transmitter sends a reference chaotic signal followed by a transformed version of the reference chaotic signal. For different symbols, different transformations are performed. Also, the transformations are designed such that the transformed versions of the reference chaotic signal do not resemble the original reference chaotic signal. As a consequence, little information can be deduced by inspecting the frequency spectrum of the transmitted signal. Moreover, even if the communication could be detected, it is difficult to decode the messages because there are numerous transformations possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for analyzing the function of nucleotide integrases and modified group II introns. The system comprises a donor plasmid comprising a wild-type or modified group II intron, a recipient plasmid comprising a DNA recognition site and a promoterless reporter gene downstream of the DNA target site, and a host cell. The method comprises the steps of transforming a host cell with the donor and recipient plasmids, assaying for expression of the reporter gene, isolating plasmid DNA from the cotransformed cells, and analyzing the plasmid DNA to confirm that the group II intron has been inserted into the target sequence. The present invention also provides a method for simultaneously analyzing the activity of two or more modified nucleotide integrases. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing a library of donor plasmids containing a plurality of diverse modified group II intron DNA sequences.

Abstract: A field emission backplate formed by laser crystallizing of an area of amorphous semiconductor based material. Emitter sites result from the rough surface texture caused by the crystallization process. The crystallization may be localized using laser interferometry, and profiled emitter tips grown on the localized crystalline areas. Such backplates can be used in field emission devices emitting into either a vacuum or a wide band gap light-emitting polymer. Furthermore, a backplate having self-aligned gates can be formed by depositing an insulator layer and a metal layer over the emitter tips, removing the top of the metal layer and etching away the insulator, leaving each tip surrounded by a metal rim. A planarizing agent can be used to refine this process.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material of the general formula Ag1?XMmM?Q2+m, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Pb, Sn, Ca, Sr, Ba, divalent transition metals, and combinations thereof; M? is selected from the group consisting of Bi, Sb, and combinations thereof; Q is selected from the group consisting of Se, Te, S, and combinations thereof; 8?m?24; and 0.01?x?0.7. In embodiments of the invention, the compositions exhibit n-type semiconductor properties. In preferred embodiments, x is from 0.1 to 0.3, and m is from 10 to 18. The compositions may be synthesized by adding stoichiometric amounts of starting materials comprising Ag, M, M?, and Q to a reaction vessel, heating the starting materials to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to melt the materials, and cooling the reaction product at a controlled rate of cooling.

Abstract: A novel system and method for restoring functional movement of a paralyzed limb(s) or a prosthetic device. Stimulating one or more muscles of a patient using an implanted neuromuscular implants and sensing the response of the stimulated muscle by the implants, wherein the sensing the response is not limited to data related to patient's movement intention, the posture, muscle extension, M-Wave and EMG. A communication and control protocol to operate the system safely and efficiently, use of forward and reverse telemetry channels having a limited bandwidth capacity, and minimizing the adverse consequences caused by errors in data transmission and intermittent loss of power to the implants. Adjusting stimulation rates and phases of the stimulator in order to achieve an efficient control of muscle force while minimizing fatigue and therefore providing for smooth movements and dynamic increase of the strength in patient's muscle contraction.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for constructing optimal cybernetic based systems. The method is based on a process of formalized rational inquiry, measurement and planned action. More particularly, the method relies upon the precise determination of alternatives through inquiry, a formal logical model of measurement, and the subsequent matching of information obtained through measurement to possible courses of action to arrive at a realizable and useful cybernetic system architecture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to producing a plant containing vitamin B12. Accordingly, the present invention provides a seed and a plant containing vitamin B12. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a plant containing vitamin B12 comprising soaking a seed, spore or hypha of a plant in a soaking solution containing vitamin B12, and cultivating the seed, spore or hypha of the plant thus soaked. Furthermore, the present invention provides a soaking solution containing vitamin B12 for introducing vitamin B12 into a plant.

Abstract: The disease resistant ‘AU Encore’ seguin offers food availability for wildlife over an extended period. A single plant drops nuts for a 2–3 month period (September 27–November 30). Nut size varies with season and the average weight is between 2 and 3 grams. The plant does not bloom until mid-May, therefore late spring frosts do not damage the flowers. In most seasons, the ‘AU Encore’ seguin cultivar will have 2–3 flushes of vegetative growth. The nut quality is similar to the Chinese chestnut in that it is high in starch and sugar (40–42%) and low in fats. ‘AU Encore’ seguin is an excellent companion cultivar for ‘AU Premier’ seguin since the major nut drop for ‘AU Encore’ seguin occurs after the major nut drop period of ‘AU Premier’ seguin.