Abstract: An architecture for robot intelligence enables a robot to learn new behaviors and create new behavior sequences autonomously and interact with a dynamically changing environment. Sensory information is mapped onto a Sensory Ego-Sphere (SES) that rapidly identifies important changes in the environment and functions much like short term memory. Behaviors are stored in a DBAM that creates an active map from the robot's current state to a goal state and functions much like long term memory. A dream state converts recent activities stored in the SES and creates or modifies behaviors in the DBAM.

Abstract: An AC-DC converter that includes a plurality of power conversion units that overlay their signals to generate a DC signal with low voltage level, small voltage and current ripples, but high DC current. The DC signal is further filtered by a LC low pass filter to further minimize the ripples before output to the load. In one embodiment, the plurality of power conversion units is preferably powered by a plurality of input pulse generators. In an alternative embodiment, the power conversion units is powered by a input pulse generator circuit that includes a plurality of n-channel MOSFETs arranged in a full bridge configuration whose gate voltages are controlled by a plurality of pulse generators.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein improves upon existing tissue microarray technology by using frozen tissues embedded in tissue embedding compound as donor samples and arraying the specimens into a recipient block comprising tissue embedding compound. Tissue is not fixed prior to embedding, and sections from the array are evaluated without fixation or post-fixed according to the appropriate methodology used to analyze a specific gene at the DNA, RNA, and/or protein levels. Unlike paraffin tissue arrays which can be problematic for immunohistochemistry and for RNA in situ hybridization analyses, the disclosed methods allow optimal evaluation by each technique and uniform fixation across the array panel. The disclosed arrays work well for DNA, RNA, and protein analyses, and have significant qualitative and quantitative advantages over existing methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel complexes of (transition) metals containing ligands having phosphinimine centers bonded to the (transition) metal.

Abstract: Impaired TPO-mediated platelet protein tyrosine phosphorylation was consistently observed in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) as well as those with idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), in contrast to patients with essential thrombocytosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, secondary erythrocytosis, iron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis or normal volunteers. Moreover, the platelet TPO receptor, Mpl, was not detectable by immunoblotting with an antibody to the extracellular domain, by chemical crosslinking of TPO to the surface of platelets, or by flow cytometry using an antibody to the extracellular domain, in 34 of 34 PV patients and also in 13 of 14 IMF patients. Impaired TPO-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation in PV and IMF platelets was uniformly associated with markedly reduced or absent expression of the extracellular domain of Mpl. Thus the reduced detectablility of Mpl by these methods can be used a marker of PV and IMF.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated transducing phages, methods of isolating transducing phages, and methods of using transducing phages including, for instance, transferring at least one nucleic acid fragment from a donor microbe to a recipient microbe, and producing a secondary metabolite from a microbe. The transducing phages typically have a broad host range, and transduce microbes in the Order Actinomycetales, in particular in the Family Streptomycetaceae, including Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces lividans, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces avermitilis, and Saccharopolyspora erythraea. The transducing phages can be specialized transducing phages or generalized transducing phages.

Abstract: A multilayer nonlinear dielectric optical structure is formed by coextruding at least two polymeric materials, components (a) and (b), using a multiplying element; the structure contains a plurality of alternating layers (A) and (B) represented by formula (AB)x, where x=2n, and n is the number of multiplying elements; at least one of the components (a) and (b) exhibits nonlinear optical response. These structures perform a variety of nonlinear optical functions including all-optical switching and passive optical limiting.

Abstract: A unique turkey astrovirus has been isolated and sequenced. Primers and probes have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequence of the astrovirus and a reverse transcriptase PCR has been developed to detect the presence of avian astrovirus in commercial flocks. Furthermore, purified antigenic polypeptides have been synthesized from each of the open reading frames 1a,1b and 2 of the novel virus.

Abstract: The unipolar spin transistor includes a first semiconductor region having a conductivity type and a first spin polarization, and a second semiconductor region having a conductivity type that is the same conductivity type of the first semiconductor region and a second spin polarization that is different from the first spin polarization of the first semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region having a conductivity type that is the same conductivity type of the first semiconductor region and the first spin polarization. The unipolar spin transistor can also include a magnetic semiconductor wherein the semiconductor material is in a high-resistance state when the second spin polarization of the second region is opposite to the first spin polarization of the first and third regions, and wherein the semiconductor material is in a low-resistance state when the second spin polarization of the second region is aligned to the first spin polarization of the first and third regions.

Abstract: Inks are formulated for forming anode and cathode catalyst layers and applied to anode and cathode sides of a membrane for a direct methanol fuel cell. The inks comprise a Pt catalyst for the cathode and a Pt—Ru catalyst for the anode, purified water in an amount 4 to 20 times that of the catalyst by weight, and a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in an amount effective to provide an ionomer content in the anode and cathode surfaces of 20% to 80% by volume. The inks are prepared in a two-step process while cooling and agitating the solutions. The final solution is placed in a cooler and continuously agitated while spraying the solution over the anode or cathode surface of the membrane as determined by the catalyst content.

Abstract: The invention includes a particle detection system that detects bioparticles in a sample utilizing a sensor device that receives photoacoustic signals from a sample. The invention includes a system for distinguishing biologically active particles from non-biologically active particles in a sample utilizing a transducer to receive a laser induced photoacoustic signal from the sample and a fluorescence detector to receive laser induced fluorescence. The invention includes a method of screening a sample for the presence of one or more particle types by subjecting a sample to laser light and measuring at least one photonic response and at least one acoustic response are measured from the sample to produce a sample composite data set which is compared to a signature data set from a control sample. The invention also includes methods for detecting a change in the particle composition within a test area.

Abstract: This invention discloses compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful in therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating patients with an illness. Such illnesses include cancer, and secondary infections caused by Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasmosis gondii in immunocompromised patients. The compounds themselves, methods of making these compounds, and methods of using these compounds are all disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that act to suppress p53 activity in mammalian cells, and a method to effectively suppress p53 activity in the cells of a mammal subject to a stress or pathology that is ameliorated by such suppression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the analysis of linkage disequilibrium between at least one marker locus and a disease or trait locus of interest. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a data set comprising a marker locus with at least two alleles for a plurality of extended pedigrees (e.g.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel process identification and control package for high performance. For process identification, a simple yet effective and robust identification method is presented using process step responses to give a continuous transfer function with time-delay without iteration. A new relay, called cascade relay, is devised to get more accurate and reliable points on the process frequency response. For controller tuning, the internal model principle is employed to design single-loop controller PID or high-order types with best achievable control performance. The process identification and control design parts can be easily integrated into control system auto-tuning package. Further, a general control scheme for disturbance rejection is given which can significantly improve disturbance rejection performance over conventional feedback systems with time delays. Practical issues such as noises, real-time implementation and tuning guidelines are also provided.

Abstract: A discharge device is described that contains an anode, a cathode, and an insulating layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. A cavity is extends entirely through at least one of the anode or cathode and penetrates the dielectric layer. At least one of the anode or cathode may include a screen or the dielectric layer may have a plurality of films with at least two different dielectric constants. The voltage differences between the anode and cathode in each of multiple devices electrically connected together may be limited.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and synthetic peptides comprising the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and methods of killing dividing cells and treating abnormalities and tumors in a subject using the peptides.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing reflections in a transmission line and for recovering energy from the load in the transmission during the process. At least three drive signal levels are utilized. The transition from the second level to the third level during a rising transition and the transition from the second level to the first level during a falling transition is timed to coincide with the arrival of the reflected signal from the immediately-preceding transition. A capacitor is advantageously used as the source for the intermediate drive signal levels and advantageously facilitates energy recovery and conservation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a position error evaluating method of a moving device, which includes the following steps. Specifically, in a moving device which moves a movable body in two axial directions or in three axial directions orthogonal to each other, a straightness error curve indicating a state of change in a position error of the movable body along a uniaxial direction out of predetermined two axial directions is obtained by a sequential two-point method, the position error being related to a direction orthogonal to the predetermined two axial directions out of the biaxial or three axial directions. Then, the above step is repeated for the other uniaxial direction out of the two axial directions.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating androgen related disorders. The pharmaceutical compositions may include a 5&agr;-reductase inhibitor, such as natural and synthetic flavanoids, catechols, curcumin-related substances, quinones, catechins, particularly epigallocatechin derivatives, fatty acids, and the salts, esters, analogues, pro-drugs, isomers, racemic mixtures, or derivatives of any of the foregoing. The use of testosterone (or DHT) combinations with the aforementioned 5&agr;-reductase inhibitor compounds is also contemplated.