Abstract: Methods of treating a carbon foam precursor to facilitate subsequent foaming of the material at low pressures, which may be on the order of about 0.5 to 1.5 atmospheres, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the carbon foam precursor is subjected to partial devolatilization under controlled conditions with subsequent foaming being effected at low pressure. The carbon foam precursor may be one of various forms of coal including raw coal, coal extract mesophase pitch, synthetic mesophase pitch or petroleum based pitch. The performing treatment of the carbon foam precursor may remove a portion of the internal blowing agent and may alter the fluidity of the carbon foam precursor matrix. In another embodiment, the precursor after being converted into a powder is subjected to oxidation prior to foaming.

Abstract: A bistable electrical device employing a bistable polymer body made from an electrically insulating polymer material in which doped nanofibers are dispersed. The doped nanofibers are composed of an electrically conductive nanofiber material and electrically conductive nanoparticles. The doped nanofibers impart bistable electrical characteristics to the polymer body, such that the polymer body is reversibly convertible between a low resistance state and a high resistance state by application of an electrical voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of renal-related disorders. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of glomerulosclerosis and/or end stage renal failure and/or related conditions. The method of the present invention is preferably practised by the administration of a derivative of angiotensin I. Generally, but not exclusively, the angiotensin I derivative exhibits anti-angiotensin II properties. In a preferred embodiment, the angiotensin I is des-Aspartate-angiotensin I or a derivative, homologue or analogue thereof. The present invention further contemplates compositions for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of renal-related disorders such as but not limited to glomerulosclerosis and/or end stage renal failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen-regulated GATA transcription factor gene required for sugar sensing and the modulation of the expression of this gene to modulate a characteristic in a plant. The GATA transcription factor of the present invention is involved in regulating sugar sensing in plants and its expression is influenced by nitrogen status. Increased expression of this or substantially similar genes can produce plants with improved nitrogen utilization and increased yield.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing nicotine analogs and derivatives are described. In some embodiments the methods utilize an alkyl or aryl silyl-substituted nicotine analog intermediate. Intermediates useful for the synthesis of nicotine and nicotine analogs are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), and more specifically to efficient OLEDs having electron blocking layers. The devices of the present invention comprise at least one electron blocking layer which functions to confine electrons to specific regions of the light emitting devices. The present invention also relates to materials for use as electron blockers that show increased stability when incorporated into an organic light emitting device.

Abstract: A method of culturing tissue comprises growing tissue forming cells whilst subjecting the tissue forming cells to mechanical stresses which are generated magnetically.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversible electrochemical sensor for polyions. The sensor uses active extraction and ion stripping, which are controlled electrochemically. Spontaneous polyion extraction is suppressed by using membranes containing highly lipophilic electrolytes that possess no ion-exchange properties. Reversible extraction of polyions is induced by constant current pulse of fixed duration applied across the membrane. Subsequently, polyions are removed by applying a constant stripping potential. The sensors provide excellent stability and reversibility and allow for measurements of heparin concentration in whole blood samples via protamine titration.

Abstract: Stand-alone modules or blocks for use in creating low-power sensor-based monitor/control systems. Each module performs a pre-defined function, and when included in a monitor/control network operates as a node on the network and automatically communicates with one or more connected nodes using a uni-directional packet-based protocol. One class of such predefined nodes communicates Boolean values, for example, with input sensor nodes detecting the presence or absence of environmental phenomena (e.g., motion, light, sound, water, button presses, etc.), intermediate nodes transforming those Boolean values using combinational or sequential logic, and output nodes converting the resulting Boolean values to environmental phenomena (e.g., beeping, light, electric relay activation, etc.) or to data for further processing by a computer. Another class of nodes communicates integer or number values.

Abstract: Buffer solution and blood are streamed in a channel of a micro chip so as to form layers. Aggregation inducing agent for aggregating platelets in blood is coated at a wall face on a buffer solution streaming side. If streaming amount of blood is increased in this state, a layer width of blood can be increased, and detail analysis between the aggregation inducing agent and the platelets is possible thereby. Even if it is necessary to take an image or a moving image for comparison between a pre-aggregation state and an aggregation state, it is sufficient to take only a portion where the aggregation inducing agent is coated, that is, a reaction portion. Then, a device can be made cheaper without two cameras or a moving mechanism for the camera or a micro chip.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a process for fabricating an electrode for a capacitor using carbon nanotubes (CNTs), wherein the electrode comprises a metal substrate and a layer of active material (CNTs) coated onto the metal substrate. Specifically, the process starts by dispersing CNTs in a solvent to form a suspension. Next, the CNTs are charged in the suspension. The metal substrate is then immersed in the suspension. Next, the CNTs are deposited onto the metal substrate using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to form the layer of active material on the metal substrate. In particular, the layer of active material is formed on the metal substrate without using a binder, which effectively reduces contact resistance between the active material and the metal substrate.

Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to a carbon-carbon bond formation catalyzed by a complex comprising a novel and stable ligand and a metal center. The ligand uses a ring, particularly a phenyl group, or a hydrocarbon group to link an amino group and PR1R2, NR1R2, OR1, SR1, or AsR1R2 group for stabling the structure of the ligand.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing image acquisition and/or image display in a limited region of interest (ROI). The apparatus comprises a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), preferably integrating a light source, a cantilever, a lens, an actuator, a light detector, and a position sensor. The light source provides light for illuminating the ROI, displaying an image, providing a therapy, and/or performing other functions. The cantilever comprises a resin waveguide with a fixed end attached to a substrate that supports many or all other components. A free end of the cantilever is released from the substrate during fabrication and includes the lens. The actuator scans the free end in orthogonal directions to illuminate the ROI or display an image. The position sensors detect the position of the free end for control. The light detector receives light backscattered from the ROI separate from, or at the fixed end the cantilever.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a colloid scaffolds for tissue engineering, comprising collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA). The collagen and the hyaluronic acid (HA) are mixed to form colloidal suspension. The ratio of the collagen and the hyaluronic acid is less than or equal to 300, and the best is less than or equal to 200. The colloidal scaffolds more comprises micro-fibers or nano-fibers which are used to enhance cell attachment and increase the strength of colloid scaffolds and reduce water loss and contraction of colloid scaffolds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biodegradable solid microneedles and a fabrication method thereof. The microneedles are small in diameter and are long and hard enough to pass through the stratum corneum. Thus, the biodegradable solid microneedles can be used for painless transdermal drug delivery, the detection of biological samples such as blood, and biopsy.

Abstract: A method of providing microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) that are compatible with silicon CMOS electronics is provided. The method provides for processing and manufacturing is steps limiting a maximum exposure of an integrated circuit upon which the MEMS is manufactured during MEMS manufacturing to below a temperature wherein CMOS circuitry is adversely affected, for example below 400° C., and sometimes to below 300° C. or 250° C., thereby allowing direct manufacturing of the MEMS devices onto electronic integrated circuits, such as Si CMOS circuits.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding layer comprising at least one conductive layer and a carbon nanotube film structure, the conductive layer being disposed on the carbon nanotube film structure, and comes in contact with the carbon nanotube film structure electrically. A method for making the electromagnetic shielding layer includes the steps of: (a) providing an electronic element, the electronic element having a surface; (b) fabricating at least one carbon nanotube film; (c) forming a carbon nanotube film structure on the surface of the electronic element; and (d) forming a conductive layer on the carbon nanotube film structure, then obtaining an electromagnetic shielding layer on the surface of the electronic element.

Abstract: An exemplary touch panel includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate separated from the first electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first substrate and a first conductive layer located on a lower surface of the first substrate. The second electrode plate includes a second substrate and a second conductive layer located on an upper surface of the second substrate. Each of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotube string-shaped structures. A display device incorporates the touch panel and also includes a display element adjacent to the touch panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic but non-depositing-forming polypeptides or peptides homologous to amyloid ?, prion, amylin or ?-synuclein which can be used alone or conjugated to an immunostimulatory molecule in an immunizing composition for inducing an immune response to amyloid ? peptides and amyloid deposits, to prion protein and prion deposits, to amylin and amylin deposits, to ?-synuclein and deposits containing ?-synuclein, or to polyglutamine repeats and deposits of proteins containing polyglutamine repeats. Described are also antibodies directed against such peptides, their generation, and their use in methods of passive immunization to such peptides and deposits.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing, monitoring, or predicting the conditions of pre-eclampsia, fetal chromosomal aneuploidy, and pre-term labor in a pregnant woman, as well as for detecting pregnancy in a woman, by quantitatively measuring in the maternal blood the amount of one or more mRNA species encoding human chorionic gonadotropin ? subunit (hCG-?), human placental lactogen (hPL), human corticotropin releasing hormone (hCRH), KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (KISS1), tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TPFI2), placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1), or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and comparing the amount of the mRNA species with a standard control.