Abstract: There is provided a sensing chip capable of measuring a refractive index by utilizing a long-range surface plasmon polariton, accurately measuring an accumulative refractive index in a wide range, and more easily enabling sealing for measurement. The present invention relates to the sensing chip which has a thin metal film or a strip-like metal grown on an underlayer, and has a dielectric that limits a refractive index and a dielectric buffer layer on an upper surface and a lower surface of the thin metal film or the strip-like metal. The dielectric buffer layer is attached onto the thin metal film or the strip-like metal. The thin metal film or the strip-like metal and the buffer layer are sandwiched between two dielectric layers. A hole is made in a surface of the upper dielectric layer to serve as a measurement groove.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, including cancers, by administering to the affected mammal (e.g., human) an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more oligonucleotides which share at least 33% but less than 100% nucleotide sequence identity with the human telomere overhang repeat. Methods of treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative diseases or pre-cancerous conditions affecting epithelial cells, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or hyperprolferative diseases of other epithelia and methods for reducing photoaging, or oxidative stress or for prophylaxis against or reduction in the likelihood of the development of skin cancer, are also disclosed. The compositions and methods are also useful to treating other cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for modifying the surface of titanium or a titanium alloy by a fluidized bed carburization process. The surface hardness of the titanium or the titanium alloy could be improved by the fluidized bed carburization process. The above-mentioned method includes the following steps: providing a fluidized bed furnace, in which a carburizing agent containing charcoal and carbonate powders of which the weight ratio is 10˜8:0.5˜2 is used; placing titanium or a titanium alloy in the fluidized bed furnace at the temperature ranging from 900° C. to 1200° C. for carburizing the titanium metal or the titanium alloy for a period more than 3 minutes; and then taking the titanium metal or the titanium alloy out for quenching.

Abstract: A method for storing data in a magnetic memory element of an array of elements which avoids inadvertent switching of other elements is disclosed. First and second magnetic fields are applied to a selected magnetic element for a first time interval to switch the element into an intermediate state where minor domains are created. A second value of magnetic fields are then applied large enough to switch the magnetization of the minor domains, but not large enough to switch the magnetization of an adjacent memory cell. Once the minor domain is switched, the magnetization of the magnetic element assumes the state where the major domain has a magnetization direction representing the value of the stored data bit. Reducing the grain size of crystallites contained in a bit reduces the intrinsic anisotropy of the magnetic memory element thus improving bit selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, methods and/or apparatus of central administration of various CNS-active agents. In particular embodiments, intrathecal administration is advantageous for decreasing the systemic concentrations of CNS agent, thereby decreasing side effect toxicity, while allowing more effective delivery of the agent to the site of action, simultaneously decreasing the dosage delivered to the subject. In particular embodiments, ICV delivery may be of use for patients who have previously proven to be refractory to systemic administration of CNS agents, in some cases due to systemic side effects, or for those patients whose symptoms are of sufficient severity to warrant more aggressive therapeutic intervention. ICV administration allows not only lower systemic concentration but also higher therapeutically effective concentration within the CNS.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a frequency-domain optical coherence tomography power spectrum from a sample. The apparatus includes a broadband light source, an optical spectrum analyzer, and a partially reflective element optically coupled to the light source, to the optical spectrum analyzer, and to the sample. A first portion of light from the light source is reflected by the partially reflective element and propagates to the optical spectrum analyzer. A second portion of light from the light source propagating through the partially reflective element, impinging the sample, reflecting from the sample, and propagating to the optical spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to DCAL-2 and other DCAL-2 reagents that modulate dendritic cell function. Modulators of the receptor, including modulators that alter DCAL-2 associated signals to and from DCs, can be used to alter dendritic cell function and to enhance or inhibit immune responses to cancer antigens, autoantigens, or pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for a nerve injury and a method for treating a nerve injury. One aspect of the invention is the method for treating a nerve injury by administering to a patient with a nerve injury a therapeutic agent for a nerve injury containing a differentiated cell-derived pluripotent cell obtained by forced expression of reprogramming genes such as a combination of the Oct3/4 gene, Sox2 gene, Klf4, and c-myc gene. in a differentiated cell; or cells obtained by inducing the aforementioned differentiated cell-derived pluripotent cells to differentiate into an embryoid body or a neurosphere.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for printing cells which includes an electrospinning device and an inkjet printing device operatively associated therewith. Methods of making a biodegradable scaffold having cells seeded therein are also provided. Methods of forming microparticles containing one or more cells encapsulated by a substrate are also provided, as are methods of forming an array of said microparticles.

Abstract: A metamaterial comprises a support medium, such as a planar dielectric substrate and a plurality of resonant circuits supported thereby. At least one resonant circuit is a tunable resonant circuit including a conducting pattern and a voltage-tunable capacitor, so that an electromagnetic parameter (such as resonance frequency) may be adjusted using an electrical control signal. In some examples of the present invention, the voltage-tunable capacitor includes a MEMS structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of scheduling timing for communication between sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network, the method including categorizing a plurality of sensor nodes in a cluster into several groups, respectively assigning time slots to the groups, and establishing data communication according to the assigned time slots.

Abstract: A scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) disposed at the distal end of a flexible, small diameter imaging probe is inserted through a relatively small opening and into a larger volume, such as the bladder. Actuators disposed adjacent to the distal end of the imaging probe are selectively activated to bend the distal end of the imaging probe to assist in positioning and orienting the SFE at a plurality of points selected to image substantially all of at least a desired portion of the interior surface of the volume. The insertion depth, bending arc, and rotational position of the imaging probe can be manually and/or automatically controlled. The user can inspect the images to determine if a desired portion of the surface has been imaged and can thus ensure that a tumor or other characteristic of the surface is not overlooked due to a failure to image it.

Abstract: The present invention provides the identification of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase complexes, and nucleic acids coding therefor. In addition, methods of screening for modulators of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase, including high throughput yeast screens, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides to generate musical sound data easily for people to enjoy playing. A musical sound generating apparatus 10 comprises a vibration recognizing means 12, a main control device 14, an acoustic device 16 and a display device 18. The vibration recognizing means 12 is a vibration sensor that generates vibration data by people clapping their hands or tapping on something. The vibration data processing unit 20 analyzes a waveform of the vibration data to extract a waveform component. Based on the waveform component, a musical sound data generating unit 22 generates musical sound data. The acoustic device 16 causes a musical sound according to a musical sound signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a domain DRM system, a license sharing method for the domain DRM system, and a license server. The domain DRM system includes at least one domain including at least one user module adapted for encryption or decryption using a provided encryption key and a domain manager adapted for decryption using a provided encryption key, and a license server for creating encryption keys corresponding to the domain manager and the one user module, respectively, and providing them with the created contents, respectively, so that, when at least one user module requests contents, a contents encryption key used to encrypt the contents is encrypted by using an encryption key of the user module and an encryption key of the domain manager according to a commutative encryption scheme, and one of the domain manager and the user module is provided with a shared license obtained as a result of encryption.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating and delivering medicinal formulations using an inhaler. The composition includes a space filled flocculated suspension having one or more flocculated particles of one or more active agents and a hydrofluoroalkane propellant. A portion of the one or more flocculated particles is templated by the formation of hydrofluoroalkane droplets upon atomization and the templated floc compacts upon the evaporation of the hydrofluoroalkane propellant to form a porous particle for deep lung delivery.

Abstract: There are provided lamella structured thin films having ultralow dielectric constants and high hardness, and the method for manufacturing the same. In the lamella structured thin film, silica layers and air layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on the surface of a wafer in the vertical direction. The method of manufacturing the lamella structured thin film includes, agitating silica sol solution containing surfactant and silica precursor, spin-coating the solution on silicon wafer, aging the wafer, and annealing the wafer to remove the surfactant and organic materials from the wafer. The lamella structured thin film has excellent mechanical strength and high chemical stability, and in particular, has significantly low dielectric constant of no more than 2.5 and high hardness. In the method of manufacturing the lamella structured thin film, semiconductor processes can be made simple and economical since only pure silica is used and no additionally surface treatment is performed.

Abstract: An adaptive MIMO communications system includes a multifunctional reconfigurable antenna with a selectively alterable effective physical antenna array configuration and radiation/polarization properties, which configuration and properties is a component in the optimization of the adaptive system parameters. The multifunctional reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna components and a plurality of selectively controllable switches coupling selected ones of the plurality of antenna components together into a multifunctional reconfigurable subarray of antenna components. A processing unit coupled to the multifunctional reconfigurable antenna determines communication channel conditions for generating adaptive control signals to the plurality of selectively controllable switches to selectively apply a selected space-time coding protocol or a selected beam forming protocol together on the plurality of antenna components depending on channel conditions.

Abstract: A method and product made by using a polymeric ceramic precursor to synthesize dense, crack-free bulk ceramics in a technique using a sacrificial mold provides a ceramic structure for many technical, medical and industrial applications. The novel process uses an open cell material as a sacrificial mold to shape a ceramic precursor during curing. The cured ceramic green body can be machined and shaped to form the desired ceramic structure prior to final pyrolysis. The open cell material forms gas release paths to release large amount of gases generated during the pyrolysis of the cured ceramic precursor. After pyrolysis, an intact, dense, crack-free ceramic structure with high purity, strength and durability is obtained. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to, bulk ceramic parts, ceramic crucibles, a replacement material in some applications involving glass, silicon carbides, silicon nitrides, hafnium carbide and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus characterizes at least one fiber Bragg grating. The apparatus includes a laser pulse source, an optical spectrum analyzer, and multiple optical paths. A first optical path includes a pulse stretcher and an attenuator. A second optical path optically coupled to the first optical path includes a mirror. A third optical path optically coupled to the first optical path includes a first fiber Bragg grating. A fourth optical path is optically coupled to the second optical path, the third optical path, and the optical spectrum analyzer. A fifth optical path optically coupled to the laser pulse source and the optical spectrum analyzer includes a delay line.