Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a plurality of output frequencies (wavelengths) of a plurality of lasers (106). The laser beams are combined using optical multiplexer (110) and coupled into length-imbalanced (armlength-mismatched) Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) (114) having an optical modulator (e.g. AOM) (122) in one of its arms. The output of the MZI is divided into corresponding beams via optical demultiplexer (128) and each beam is detected by a respective photo-diode (PD) (134). The individual electric signals, so generated, are demodulated using a corresponding plurality of phase-responsive devices (138) and the resulting phase-signals are directed to a plurality of servo-controllers (148) to control the central frequency of the respective lasers (106) via a corresponding plurality of feedback loop circuits (150). The lasers (106) can have different central frequencies which can also be individually tunned using offset modules (141) in the phase-responsive devices (138).

Abstract: The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible.

Abstract: An organic photoelectric semiconductor device including organic group VA salts in an organic salt-containing layer and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The organic photoelectric semiconductor device includes: a first electrode; an organic active layer disposed over the first electrode; an organic salt-containing layer disposed over the organic active layer, where the organic salt-containing layer includes quaternary group VA salts of cations represented by the following formula (I) or derivatives thereof and anions; and a second electrode, disposed over the organic salt-containing layer, where, X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined the same as the specification. Accordingly, the present invention can enhance the transmission of electrons and thus enhances the performance of devices.

Abstract: A system and method for optically imaging a sample. The method and system uses a controlled scatterer of light positioned in the near field of a sample. The extinguished power from an incident field, which illuminates both the sample and the controlled scatterer, is then measured as a function of the controlled scatterer position and is used to mathematically reconstruct an image of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a candlelight-like light organic light-emitting device, comprising: a first conductive layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a first host light-emitting layer, a second host light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a second conductive layer. Particularly, in the present invention, a plurality of candlelight complementary color dyes are doped in the first host light-emitting layer and the second host light-emitting layer for making the first host light-emitting layer and the second host light-emitting layer respectively emit a first light and a second light, such that the first light and the second light are mixed to a candlelight-like light with high color rendering index and low color temperature; therefore the candlelight-like light is suitable for being a reading light or a bedside light, and can facilitate users to read by their eyes under a comfortable condition.

Abstract: A parameter extraction method for semiconductor devices includes: providing a first multi-finger device and a second multi-finger device, wherein the gate-finger numbers between the first and second multi-finger devices are different; performing an open de-embedding, then the high-frequency test apparatus measuring a first intrinsic gate capacitance of the first multi-finger device and a second intrinsic gate capacitance of the second multi-finger device; calculating a slope according to the first and second intrinsic gate capacitances, and the first and second gate-finger numbers; performing a 3D capacitance simulation for computing the poly finger-end fringing capacitances; utilizing a long channel device for measuring the gate capacitance and extracting the intrinsic gate capacitance, then calculating an inversion channel capacitance per unit area; and computing a delta channel width of the semiconductor device, according to the slope, the poly finger-end fringing capacitance, and the inversion channel cap

Abstract: The invention relates to virology and the prevention and/or treatment of viral infection and disease in animals, including birds and humans. The invention relates to the field of antiviral treatments. The invention further relates to methods of stimulating innate immunity and natural interferon production in humans or animals and in component parts of humans or animals, including cells and tissues. The invention also relates to the field of defective interfering (DI) viruses, including cloned DI viruses.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel, which maintains characteristics of a Type IV collagen and is superior in gel strength. It is the Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel obtained by mixing 100 to 500 parts by mass of the Type I collagen having fibrosis ability, relative to 100 parts by mass of the Type IV collagen having gelling ability. A three-dimensional structure is formed, where a membrane-like substance by the Type IV collagen is formed onto a fibrous substance by the Type I collagen, so as to be able to provide cell culture environment approximate to a basement membrane of a living body.

Abstract: A system and process for modulating the carbon content of ash produced by a biomass gasification process, for example, to selected levels chosen by an operator, through the controlled injection of steam and controlled introduction of warm air during processing of a biomass feedstock. The system and process include delivering a carbon-containing biomass feedstock to a gasification reactor and producing a syngas and an ash from the biomass feedstock, and regulating the carbon content of the ash between a level at which carbon not present in the ash and a second level at which carbon is present in the ash. The regulating step entails selectively decreasing the moisture level of the biomass feedstock prior to the biomass feedstock being delivered to the gasification reactor and thereby increasing the carbon content of the ash, or increasing a moisture level of a mixture of the biomass feedstock, ash and gases within the gasification reactor and thereby decrease the carbon content of the ash.

Abstract: A method of sustaining cells is provided. The method can include providing a non-perfluorocarbon cell storage medium, providing a pre-oxygenated liquid perfluorocarbon in contact with the storage medium, and placing the cells in contact with the storage medium but not in contact with the perfluorocarbon. Additionally, the method can result in increased corneal cell viability compared to corneal cells placed in a non-perfluorocarbon cell storage medium without being in contact with a pre-oxygenated liquid perfluorocarbon.

Abstract: Multimodal optical spectroscopy systems and methods produce a spectroscopic event to obtain spectroscopic response data from biological tissue, either ex vivo or in vivo, and compare the response data with a model configured to correlate the measured response data and the most probable attributes of the tissue, thus facilitating classification of the tissue based on those attributes.

Abstract: A method of estimating stroke volume of the heart is described. In this method, the volume of the heart is estimated from electrical impedance data of the chest, at two different phases of the cardiac cycle. The stroke volume is estimated from the difference between the volumes estimated at the two phases.

Abstract: Methods of utilizing the arrestin-2/sTAM-1 complex as a therapeutic target. The methods include treating cells of a living organism to mediate an interaction between arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules, wherein the interaction is characterized by the arrestin-2 adapter protein molecule directly binding to the STAM-2 adapter protein molecule. Pharmacological agents can be identified for therapeutic uses by determining whether the pharmacological agent disrupts the interaction between the arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high surface area porous carbon material and a process for making this material. In particular, the carbon material is derived from biomass and has large mesopore and micropore surfaces that promote improved adsorption of materials and gas storage capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanically-actuated devices for transporting fluids within a microfluidic circuit and performing diagnostic operations on a sample. Also disclosed are related methods for performing sample analysis effected by the motion of an actuator proximate to a microfluidic system.

Abstract: A biomedical diagnostic device includes a hydrophilic layer, hydrophobic layer, and at least one test pad. The hydrophilic layer includes an exposed introductory portion adapted to introduce a test fluid, and is stacked with the hydrophobic layer with multiple access holes. At least one test pad, each of which includes a distinguishing reaction medium, is disposed in the corresponding holes that extend to contact the hydrophilic layer. The relations within the device are as follows: hydrophilicity of any of the test pads>hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic layer>hydrophilicity of the hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF21 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the ?Klotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: A system of stabilized metallic nanoparticles is described that includes metallic nanoparticles coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has been reacted with a catechol-based ligand. Also described are stable, metallic nanoparticles that can be used alone or in conjunction with biocides, antibiotics, or other treatment systems in a method to disrupt a biofilm and facilitate its removal from a surface. The nanoparticles can be metal, such as platinum, silver, iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4), and gold. The nanoparticles can be sterically stabilized, such as with a polymer, or charge stabilized, such as with citrate, resulting in nanoparticles having modified surfaces. This surface modification is thought to enhance the stability of the nanoparticles and decrease their likelihood of aggregation, which, in turn, enhances their ability to disrupt and disperse existing biofilms.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, modified pokeweed antiviral proteins, nucleic acids that encode the proteins, conjugates that incorporate the proteins, and methods to make and use the proteins. The present invention also provides methods to administer the conjugates to animals, for the purpose of directing toxin to particular cells.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube-based electrode materials for rechargeable batteries have a vastly increased power density and charging rate compared to conventional lithium ion batteries. The electrodes are based on a carbon nanotube scaffold that is coated with a thin layer of electrochemically active material in the form of nanoparticles. Alternating layers of carbon nanotubes and electrochemically active nanoparticles further increases the power density of the batteries. Rechargeable batteries made with the electrodes have a 100 to 10000 times increased power density compared to conventional lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a charging rate increased by up to 100 times.