Abstract: A modular pipeline algorithm and architecture for computing discrete Fourier transforms is described. For an N point transform, two pipeline ?{square root over (N)} point fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules are combined with a center element. The center element contains memories, multipliers and control logic. Compared with standard N point pipeline FFTs, the modular pipeline FFT maintains the bandwidth of existing pipeline FFTs with reduced dynamic power consumption and reduced complexity of the overall hardware pipeline.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for treating a cancerous disease is provided which includes characterizing a disease by an overexpression of one or more somatostatin receptors, and exposing the one or more somatostatin receptors to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a somatostatin analogue which binds to the one or more somatostatin receptors.

Abstract: Microreactor for carrying out methanol reforming for hydrogen production. The microreactor consists of a network of catalyst-packed parallel microchannels of cross-sectional dimensions from 400 to 1000 micrometers with a catalyst particle filter near the outlet fabricated by micromachining techniques, e.g., using photolithography and deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) on a silicon substrate. Microchannel and filter capping, on-chip heating and temperature sensing, introduction and trapping of catalyst particles in the microchannels, flow distribution, microfluidic interfacing and thermal insulation are features of the microreactor. Another microreactor consists of a radial-flow configuration utilizing a annular shaped catalyst zone for carrying out reactions between gases introduced into the microreactor as the gases flow from an inner circular boundary to an outer circular boundary in a radial direction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a polypeptide with a modified activity or stability, by replacing an arginine residue capable of being ADP-ribosylated with a tryptophan or a phenylalanine. In one embodiment, compositions are provided that include polypeptides, such as alpha defensin, with arginine-to-tryptophan or arginine-to-phenylalanine substitutions, where the arginine residue is capable of being ADP-ribosylated. In another embodiment, methods are disclosed for modifying an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circularly-polarized dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The antenna comprises a substrate, a Wilkinson power divider, a phase shifter, a ground plane and a dielectric resonator, wherein the phase shifter is connected to the Wilkinson power divider. Besides, the dielectric resonator is disposed on the ground plane, and includes a dielectric main body and a slot disposed above the substrate. Additionally, the antenna is adopted to increase the linear radiation bandwidth by utilizing the slot, and transceivers a circularly-polarized electromagnetic wave by utilizing the Wilkinson power divider. Consequently, the circularly-polarized dielectric resonator antenna can be applied in the fields of satellite communication, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and wireless communication.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes an in-plane vibratory mass platform having at least one diffraction grating formed thereon as the scanning element, at least one flexure structure that connects the mass platform to at least one fixed support, and at least one driving actuator that drives the mass platform into an in-plane vibratory motion which can be rotational and/or translational. The apparatus may also be formed by a mass platform having at least one diffraction grating formed thereon as the scanning element, at least one driving actuator connected to the mass platform through at least one flexure structure. The driving actuator drives the mass platform into an in-plane vibratory motion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a biomass enriched with hydrogen-producing bacteria or spores includes providing a biomass comprising a hydrogen-producing bacteria and a competing bacteria and treating the biomass with a sufficient amount of a chemical agent for a period of time such that the treatment (i) kills, inhibits or injures substantially all of the competing bacteria and (ii) does not kill or inhibit the hydrogen-producing bacteria or causes the hydrogen-producing bacteria to form spores that are not destroyed during the chemical treatment. The method also includes digesting an enriched biomass with a non-sterile organic substrate. The enriched biomass includes hydrogen-producing bacteria or spores that are mixed in sufficient quantities with the organic substrate such that the hydrogen-producing bacteria can overcome the competing bacteria to consume the organic substrate and produce hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention features a catalytic material which includes a metal catalyst anchored to a nano-sized crystal containing a metal oxide. Furthermore, the present invention features a method of producing the catalytic material described herein. Finally, the present invention features using the catalytic material for removing contaminants and for getting the desired products.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for imaging a screen of a display device, including filtering light emitted or reflected from the screen and a background region in proximity to the screen using first and second polarizing angles; sensing the filtered light; and generating at least one image set corresponding to the sensed filtered light. Each image set includes at least one image having a first plurality of pixels corresponding to the sensed filtered light using the first polarizing angle and a second plurality of pixels corresponding to the sensed filtered light using the second polarizing angle.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of making an antimicrobial polymer by mixing sterically hindered N-halo-amines with polymeric materials with a source of halides selected from sodium di-X-isocyanurate, sodium hypohalite, N—X-succinimide, and calcium hypohalite, and mixtures and combinations thereof, wherein X is selected from Cl or Br, and wherein the sterically hindered halo-amines are charged before or after mixing with the polymers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of segmenting a digitized image includes marking a subset of pixels in an image, defining edge conductances between each pair of adjacent pixels in the image based on the intensity difference of each said pixel pair, associating a probability potential with each unmarked pixel, and using a multigrid method to solve for the probability potentials for each unmarked pixel, wherein a restriction operator from the image grid to a coarse grid is calculated from a conductance-weighted average of the conductances on the image grid, the coarse grid conductances are calculated from the image grid conductances using a ?-Y conversion, and the multigrid prolongation operator is calculated using a conductance-weighted interpolation of the coarse grid conductances.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the in vitro differentiation of human retinal progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: A dual band balun filter that includes a first coupled-line section pair provided with a first terminal; a second coupled-line section pair configured to be connected to the first coupled-line section pair, a third coupled-line section pair, and a fourth coupled-line section pair, respectively, and the fourth coupled-line section pair is provided with a second terminal; the third coupled-line section pair is provided with a transmission line and is connected to a fifth coupled-line section pair that is provided with a third terminal; and each of the first to fifth coupled-line section pairs is formed with partial coupled stepped impedance resonators (SIRs).

Abstract: In order to provide a 3V level non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a flat voltage and excellent cycle life at a high rate with low cost, the present invention provides a positive electrode represented by the formula: Li2±?[Me]4O8?x, wherein 0??<0.4, 0?x<2, and Me is a transition metal containing Mn and at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr, Fe, Co and Cu, said active material exhibiting topotactic two-phase reactions during charge and discharge.

Abstract: Treatment and mitigation or reduction of noise effects in noisy image data and data sets is described. Various aspects include treatment of noisy data with brushlet transforms and thresholding operations along with a favorable sequence of spatial and temporal processing and thresholding. Hard and minimax thresholding operators mitigate the noise in the image data. In medical applications this can be useful in removing noise that impairs diagnosis and treatment of patient conditions. In one application, cardiac function is better studied and understood through improved imaging of the heart and cardiac structures. In an exemplary case, a favorable sequence including spatial filtering using a brushlet filter, spatial thresholding of brushlet coefficients, then temporal filtering (first in the time domain then in the frequency domain) and thresholding of temporal coefficients yields an acceptable denoised image data set.

Abstract: Inducing tolerance in a primate by use of a compound, or a combination of at least two compounds, that has certain characteristics when tested in vitro. The compound, alone or in combination, is preferably TRX1 antibody and the compound or combination is preferably used in accordance with a specified dosing regimen.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems switch having two or more resonant frequencies. The switch can be configured as a capacitive shunt switch having a deflectable member coupled between two electrodes over a transmission line. A first insulator can be located between one of the electrodes and the deflectable member to form a capacitive element. The deflectable member can be deflectable between an up-state and a down-state, the down-state capacitively coupling the deflectable member with the transmission line. The degree by which the deflectable member overlaps the first insulator can be adjusted to adjust the capacitance of the capacitive element and the resulting resonant frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a metallocene pre-catalyst with a substoichiometric amount of a co-catalyst; adding a first olefin monomer; and polymerizing the first monomer for a time sufficient to form the polyolefin. The method allows for the use of a minimum amount of activating co-catalyst, and allows for the production of stereoregular and non-stereoregular polyolefins. The use of configurationally stable metallocene pre-catalysts allows for the production of monomodal isotactic polyolefins having narrow polydispersity. The use of configurationally unstable metallocene pre-catalysts allows for the production of monomodal atactic polyolefins having narrow polydispersity. The method of the present invention optionally further comprises contacting the polyolefin with a second amount of said co-catalyst; adding a second olefin monomer; polymerizing said second olefin monomer to form a block-polyolefin composition.

Abstract: A wind harnessing system comprises a substantially helical structure including at least a portion of a spiraling groove and at least one energy converter positioned at least partially within the portion of the spiraling groove. In other embodiments, wind grooves formed by adjacent bands which are fixed with respect to one another, carry energy converters which are moveable with respect to these fixed bands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PLA architecture where the AND plane is implemented with NAND logic. The OR plane may be implemented with various logic, but in one embodiment, the OR plane is implemented with NOR logic. The AND plane may have multiple sequential stages providing hierarchical NAND logic. The NAND logic may be broken into a hierarchy of NAND logic blocks. Each NAND logic block may include one or more series-connected NAND transistor stacks. Each transistor in the transistor stack may receive an input signal representing the product of a PLA clock signal and either a direct PLA input or the complement thereof. As such, the PLA clock is inherently integrated with the input signals that drive the various transistors of the NAND transistor stacks.