Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a nonionic liquid mixture to an ionic liquid upon contact with a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. In preferred embodiments, the ionic solvent is readily converted back to the nonionic liquid mixture. The nonionic liquid mixture includes an amidine or guanidine or both, and water, alcohol, or a combination thereof. Single component amine solvents that reversibly convert between ionic and non-ionic states are also described. Some embodiments require increased pressure to convert; others convert at 1 atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting vision in macular degeneration patients. Following a diagnostic procedure which has been successfully tested to determine the factors needed to correct the vision of a patient with macular degeneration, the present invention describes a prototype correcting procedure and device using a computer program and display device. Through manipulation of a grid and quantitative analysis of the manipulations, the extent and correction factors needed to correct the vision of a macular degeneration patient are discussed.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-polymer composite includes a polymer continuous phase having at least a first polymer, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the polymer continuous phase. The carbon nanotubes are non-functionalized nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are between 0.05 and 40 weight % of the composite. At least 98% of the carbon nanotubes are not involved in nanotube bundles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spatially pre-processed target-to-jammer ratio weighted filter and a method thereof, which uses two microphones to receive audio signals. The audio signals are divided into a plurality of sinusoidal waves by a fast Fourier transform (FFT) module, and a beamformer uses the sinusoidal waves to generate beamformed signals. A reference generator generates at least one reference signal. The beamformed signals and reference signals are used to work out power spectral densities (PSD), and a target-to-jammer ratio (TJR) is worked out with the power spectral densities. TJR is used to determine whether a sound source exists. According to the determination result, a noise estimator is switched to eliminate noise from the beamformed signals and generate output signals. An inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) module recombines the output signals and then outputs the recombined signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemically bonded carbon nanotube-polymer hybrid and the nanocomposite thereof, having the following advantages: functionalizing carbon nanotubes and also effectively having the carbon nanotube covalently bonded with a wide variety of polymers, even for stable and non-reactive polymers, such as commercially available polymers and high performance engineering plastics. The nanocomposite material according to the invention, compared to its matrix polymer, has higher mechanical strength, conductivity, proton conductivity, and heat stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a galvanic cell having an aluminum anode and a cathode compartment design suitable for carrying out the aqueous electrochemical reaction between solid aluminum metal and aqueous peroxide ions. The galvanic cell is activated when water, aqueous hydroxide solution, or an aqueous salt solution is added to the cell. This reaction releases a significant amount of electrochemical energy from a small size (mass or volume) cell. This cell reaction and design leads to an improvement in energy released over state-of-the-art aluminum/hydrogen peroxide galvanic cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating cancer by administering to a patient a small molecule inhibitor of Survivin. Also disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting Survivin dimerization in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV). Methods of inducing cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, comprising G2/M stage arrest, in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV) are also disclosed. Further disclosed herein are methods of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV).

Abstract: Data associated with at least one building condition or status is sensed by one or more sensors. The data from these sensors may be sent over a data bus and received by the central computer. In addition, a modulated signal may be transmitted by one or both of the transmitters across the data bus. The modulated signal is received at the receiver, which analyzes the received modulated signal, and determines whether an intermittent fault has occurred on the data bus based upon the analyzing. For example, the receiver may compare the received signal to an expected pattern and when a discrepancy exists, an intermittent fault is determined to exist. The receiver may also determine the location of the fault based upon the analysis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns polynucleotides encoding a small subunit of plant AGP having one or more mutations in the amino acid sequence wherein the mutation confers increased heat stability to the expressed AGP enzyme. Mutations in the N-terminus of the small subunit of heat labile plant AGP results in AGP enzymes that are significantly more heat stable compared to wild type AGP in that the mutant AGP retains significant levels of enzymatic activity following exposure to heat treatment. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide encodes a mutant small subunit of maize AGP. The subject invention also concerns methods for providing a plant with increased resistance to heat conditions. Plants with heat labile AGP can be transformed with a polynucleotide of the present invention. The subject invention also concerns these transformed plants and transgenic progeny thereof. The subject invention also concerns mutant polypeptides encoded by polynucleotides of the present invention.

Abstract: A health monitoring system includes a waveguide that receives a wave transmitted from an external power source and that guides the wave to reach within a width of a rectenna. The waveguide may include a negative refractive index medium and/or a surface plasmon medium.

Abstract: A method performed by a disk drive, comprising: receiving a plurality of signal samples over a channel in the disk drive; executing a forward pattern-dependent noise prediction (PDNP) operation on the plurality of the signal samples; generating, based on execution of the forward PDNP operation, a first detection of recorded data bits in the plurality of received signal samples; executing a backward PDNP operation on the plurality of the received signal samples; generating, based on execution of the backward PDNP operation, a second detection of recorded data bits in the plurality of received signal samples; comparing the first detection to the second detection; identifying, based on comparing, one or more erasures in the received plurality of signal samples; and generating one or more sequences of bits that promote correction of the one or more erasures.

Abstract: An image reconstruction method is described as follows. A structural image of an object is obtained. An actual optical detected result of the object is obtained. An inhomogeneous initial state is determined based on the structural image. At least one solution converged with the actual optical detected result is determined by iteratively calculating a physical model from the inhomogeneous initial state. The image of the object is reconstructed based on the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.

Abstract: Viruses having an impaired ability to deISGylate ISG15 conjugates, in particular, viral mutants comprising a mutation in the viral genome that reduces or eliminates the ability of the viral OTU domain-containing protein encoded by the viral genome to deISGylate ISG15 conjugates and/or deubiquitinate ubiquitinated proteins and/or deNeddylate Neddylated proteins are disclosed. Such viral mutants may be used in the formulation of immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response and preventing, managing and/or treating a viral infection. Also disclosed are methods for identifying anti-viral compounds, in particular, methods of identifying compounds that reduce or inhibit the deISGylation activity and/or deubiquitination and/or deNeddylation activity of a viral OTU domain-containing protein. The compounds identified using such methods may be used as antiviral agents for the prevention, treatment and/or management of viral infections.

Abstract: A set of biomarkers indicative of early gastric cancer and method of diagnosing gastric cancer at an early stage by directing the these biomarkers in a blood sample. Detection of over-expression of one or more protein biomarks in the group consisting albumin, T-kininogen I, ?-2-HS glycoprotein, ?-1-antitrypsin, afamin and ?-actin and/or detection of under-expression of one or more protein biomarks in the group consisting stress 70 protein, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein A-IV, transthyretin and murinoglobulin is indicative of the presence of gastric cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphonate compounds, compositions containing them, processes for obtaining them, and their use for treating a variety of medical disorders, e.g., osteoporosis and other disorders of bone metabolism, cancer, viral infections, and the like.

Abstract: An electrode including a substrate and a complex metal oxide film deposited on the surface of the substrate. The complex metal oxide film includes manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, and zinc oxide. A main component of the complex metal oxide film is manganese oxide. The stability of the electrode is enhanced by adding little amount of cobalt oxide and zinc oxide. Furthermore, a method relates to fabricate the electrode. The method utilizes a dry process, simpler one-step radio frequency magnetron sputtering to fabricate the electrode of the present invention. The process can reduce residual impurities in the electrode and then prevent the electrochemical capacitor and cell from explosion. Moreover, an electrochemical capacitor and a cell relates to of the above electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to porous frameworks for ethylene oxide separation and recovery.

Abstract: A near-field optical disk having surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASER) is provided. The near-field optical disk having SPASER includes a transparent substrate, a first transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the transparent substrate, a SPASER thin film layer formed on the first transparent dielectric thin film layer, a second transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the SPASER thin film layer, a recording thin film layer formed on the second transparent dielectric thin film layer, and a third transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the recording thin film layer.

Abstract: A method for liver protection of a mammal is provided and includes administering an effective amount of isolated Lactobacillus plantarum CMU995 thereto. Providing a new use of Lactobacillus plantarum CMU995, which is deposited at the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) in Taiwan under accession number BCRC 910472 and in the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ) under accession number DSM 23780.