Abstract: The present invention provides novel bimetallic complexes and methods of using the same in the isoselective polymerization of epoxides. The invention also provides methods of kinetic resolution of epoxides. The invention further provides polyethers with high enantiomeric excess that are useful in applications ranging from consumer goods to materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for solar energy converter with increased photovoltaic and thermal conversion efficiencies including a collection optics for receiving and concentrating incident sunlight, or radiation from any other directed electromagnetic energy source, an optical filtering unit for separating and redirecting infrared light and ultraviolet light from incoming solar light, a thermal distribution unit redirecting heat from the optical filtering unit into a thermal-loop, and a photovoltaic for receiving the filtered light from the filtering system and converting the light into energy.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter and a performing method thereof are disclosed. The digital-to-analog converter includes a random rotation unit, a plurality of conversion units, and a summing unit. The random rotation unit receives a plurality of binary-weighted inputs and generates a plurality of rotated digital outputs according to a random rotation number. The conversion units respectively receive one of the rotated digital outputs and generate a respective analog output. The summing unit sums the respective analog outputs of the conversion units for generating an analog output. The present invention implements the dynamic element matching technique by randomly rotating the binary-weighted inputs, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost of the digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A method of reducing tumor cell growth, the method including administering an effective amount of a compound having the formula:

Abstract: A method of embedding material in a glass substrate is provided. The method includes providing a glass composition and a mold substrate having a patterned surface defining a recess therein. The mold substrate is formed from a material having a higher reflow temperature than the glass composition. A surface wettability of the patterned surface is increased relative to the glass composition. At least a portion of the glass composition is flowed into the recess defined by the patterned surface of the mold substrate, followed by solidifying the glass composition to form a solidified glass layer. Material is removed from the solidified glass layer until a portion of the underlying patterned surface of the mold substrate is exposed with at least a portion of the mold substrate embedded in the solidified glass layer to thereby form the glass substrate having the material embedded therein.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a surface-emitting laser light source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal in which the efficiency of extracting light in a direction perpendicular to the surface is high. In a laser light source provided with a two-dimensional photonic crystal layer created from a plate-shaped matrix body in which a large number of holes are periodically arranged and an active layer arranged on one side of the two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the holes are created to be columnar with a predetermined cross-sectional shape such as a circular shape, and the main axis of each of the columnar holes is tilted to a surface of the matrix body. When provided with this two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the surface-emitting laser source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal has a Q? value (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound transducers for ultrasonic imaging systems and, in particular, to improved grip assemblies for ultrasound transducers. One grip assembly includes a locking plate defining first and second apertures and a coupling post extending from the locking plate. An interface plate has a first elongate extension being extendable at least partially through the first aperture and a second elongate extension being extendable at least partially through the second aperture. A handle is coupled to the locking plate and includes a grip, a coupling interface, and a neck extending between the grip and the coupling interface. The coupling interface defines a coupling aperture for receiving the coupling post.

Abstract: There is provided herein a membrane or film comprising one or more aromatic ionomers covalently crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar—Ar—), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—), aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—), aryl-sulfone-aryl bonds, or any combination thereof, wherein said one or more aromatic ionomers further comprises at least one electron withdrawing group adapted to improve oxidant resistance of said membrane or film.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for identifying bacteria. In particular, this invention relates to a method for identifying and quantifying mycobacteria from a sputum sample taken from a subject using flow cytometry. Further described is the use of flow cytometry to identify and quantify Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum-derived samples. Once identified and quantified, the samples are spotted onto filter cards for use in verification of an existing method of diagnosis, calibration of an existing method of diagnosis and/or the establishment of an external quality control system for use in conjunction with these methods of diagnosis. In one embodiment the method is used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB).

Abstract: Systems and methods of adaptive control for uncertain nonlinear multi-input multi-output systems in the presence of significant unmatched uncertainty with assured performance are provided. The need for gain-scheduling is eliminated through the use of bandwidth-limited (low-pass) filtering in the control channel, which appropriately attenuates the high frequencies typically appearing in fast adaptation situations and preserves the robustness margins in the presence of fast adaptation.

Abstract: A static fluid and a second fluid are placed into contact along a microfluidic free interface and allowed to mix by diffusion without convective flow across the interface. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fluids are static and initially positioned on either side of a closed valve structure in a microfluidic channel having a width that is tightly constrained in at least one dimension. The valve is then opened, and no-slip layers at the sides of the microfluidic channel suppress convective mixing between the two fluids along the resulting interface. Applications for microfluidic free interfaces in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, protein crystallization studies, protein solubility studies, determination of properties of fluidics systems, and a variety of biological assays such as diffusive immunoassays, substrate turnover assays, and competitive binding assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial solutions that comprise at least one alcohol, at least one antimicrobial agent and at least one chelator and/or anticoagulant. Also provided are methods for rapidly reducing a microbe or a virus from surfaces including surfaces of indwelling medical devices and organic surfaces such as skin and sutures, and inorganic surfaces such as hospital equipment, pipelines etc.

Abstract: A method of parameter adaptation is used to modify the parameters of a model to improve model performance. The model separately estimates the contribution of each model parameter to the prediction error. It achieves this by transforming to the time-scale plane the vectors of output sensitivities with respect to model parameters and then identifying the regions within the time-scale plane at which the dynamic effect of individual model parameters is dominant on the output. The method then attributes the prediction error in these regions to the deviation of a single parameter from its true value as the basis of estimating individual parametric errors. The proposed Parameter Signature Isolation Method (PARSIM) then uses these estimates to adapt individual model parameters independently of the others, implementing, in effect, concurrent adaptation of individual parameters by the Newton-Raphson method in the time-scale plane.

Abstract: A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material, such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into a handheld explosive material detection system.

Abstract: Disclosed is the surprising discovery that aminophospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, are specific, accessible and stable markers of the luminal surface of tumor blood vessels. The present invention thus provides aminophospholipid-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic constructs for use in tumor intervention. Antibody-therapeutic agent conjugates and constructs that bind to aminophospholipids are particularly provided, as are methods of specifically delivering therapeutic agents, including toxins and coagulants, to the stably-expressed aminophospholipids of tumor blood vessels, thereby inducing thrombosis, necrosis and tumor regression.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation of one or more nerve root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Abstract: Electromagnetic irradiation of functionalized fullerenes in an oxygen-free environment induces conversion of the functionalized fullerenes to carbon nanotubes, carbon nanohorns, carbon onions, diamonds and/or carbon schwarzites. The carbon nanotubes can be multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Advantageously, the subject invention can be used for in-situ synthesis of carbon nanostructures within a matrix to form a carbon nanostructure composite, where positioning of the carbon nanostructures is controlled by the manner of dispersion of the functionalized fullerenes in the matrix. Carbon nanotube comprising features, such as electrical connects, can be formed on a surface by irradiating a portion of a functionalized fullerene coating with a laser beam.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a mixture of cells enriched in hepatic progenitors is developed which comprises methods yielding suspensions of a mixture of cell types, and selecting those cells that are classical MHC class I antigen(s) negative and ICAM-1 antigen positive. The weak or dull expression of nonclassical MHC class I antigen(s) can be used for further enrichment of hepatic progenitors. Furthermore, the progenitors can be selected to have a level of side scatter, a measure of granularity or cytoplasmic droplets, that is higher than that in non-parenchymal cells, such as hemopoietic cells, and lower than that in mature parenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes. Furthermore, the progeny of the isolated progenitors can express alpha-fetoprotein and/or albumin and/or CK19. The hepatic progenitors, so isolated, can grow clonally, that is an entire population of progeny can be derived from one cell. The clones of progenitors have a growth pattern in culture of piled-up aggregates or clusters.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘PIIDIST-II’, characterized by its compact, spreading growth habit, maroon-purple new growth, dark blue-green mature foliage, and reddish maroon flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘PIIDIST-I’, characterized by its compact, upright-spreading growth habit, yellow-green new growth, dark green mature foliage, and reddish purple flowers.