Abstract: Aspects of a low power memory buffer are described. In one embodiment, a sampling rate of a signal is adjusted to identify extrema of a signal. An extrema pulse is generated and, in response to the extrema pulse, a time segment and potential value of the signal are stored in a memory. In other aspects, rising and falling slopes of the signal are tracked to identify a local maximum and a local minimum of the signal. In this scenario, an extrema pulse is generated for each of the local maximum and minimum, and time segment and potential values are stored for the local maximum and minimum. Generally, the storage of analog values of the signal at an adjusted sampling rate is achieved with low power, and the signal may be reconstructed at a later time.

Abstract: A cooled optical light guide is provided having a conduit having a translucent top and a translucent bottom wherein at least a portion of the translucent top of the conduit is in alignment above at least a portion of the translucent bottom of the conduit. A fluid medium that is preferably cooled flows through the conduit. The optical light guide is placed between a scintillator array and an array detector. The temperature of the light that is emitted by the scintillator array is stabilized, and preferably cooled, as it passes through the translucent bottom of the conduit and through the translucent top of the conduit for detection by the array detector. A method of temperature stabilization for photomultiplier based detectors is disclosed.

Abstract: A TAF compound that can have substitutions on either of the two benzene rings and/or the C-5 position of the triazole to alter the properties of the TAF compound can be wherein X can be H, an aromatic group, a hetero aromatic group, an alkyl or any substituted alkyl group, ketone, aldyhyde, carboxylic acid derivatives; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y5 can be one or more of H, aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives; and Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5 can be one or more of H aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives. Included is a preparation of the TAF compound and use as a photoactive and/or catalyst.

Abstract: A dual modality probe is disclosed having both a gamma probe sensor and an ultrasound sensor. A dual imaging system is provided having the probe and at least one external gamma imaging detector and a data acquisition computer system for collecting data simultaneously from the gamma probe sensor, the gamma imaging detector, and the ultrasound sensor of the probe. A method for evaluating a target organ of a patient utilizing the probe and imaging system, and performing a biopsy of the organ is disclosed.

Abstract: An opioid narcotics used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain that primarily exert their analgesic effects through ? receptors. Although, traditional ? agonists can cause undesired side effects, including tolerance, addition of ? antagonists can attenuate said side effects. The present invention includes 4a,9-dihydroxy-7a-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7(7aH)-one (UMB 425) a 5,14-bridged morphinan-based orvinol precursor, along with analogs of morphine, dihydromorphine, hydromorphone, codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone and ethylmorphine. Although UMB 425 lacks ?-specific motifs, conformationally sampled pharmacophore models for ? and ? receptors predict it to have efficacy similar to morphine at ? receptors and similar to naltrexone at ? receptors, due to the compound sampling conformations in which the hydroxyl moiety interacts with the receptors similar to orvinols.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on computer readable mediums are provided relating to classroom attendance tracking. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of harvesting personal identification data from each one of a plurality of students attending a class in conjunction with a conduct of the class using a portable identification capture device, and coupling the portable identification capture device to a client coupled to a server via a network. The method further comprises automatically uploading the personal identification data from the portable identification capture device to the server.

Abstract: Aspects of a continuous-time memory cell circuit are described. In various embodiments, the memory cell circuit may comprise a memory cell, a current source coupled to the memory cell, and circuitry for programming the memory cell at an adaptive rate, based on a target voltage for programming, using a feedback loop between a gate terminal of the memory cell and a reference control input. Based on the circuitry for programming, the memory cell may be programmed according to various voltage and/or current references, by linear injection and/or tunneling mechanisms. According to various aspects, the circuitry for programming drives a memory cell to converge to a voltage target for programming within a short period of time and to a suitable level of accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing lysergic acid and other ergot alkaloids by genetic modification of a fungus. A strain of fungus comprising Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) and expressing one or more genes of the ergot alkaloid biosynthesis pathway from one or more fungus selected from the group consisting of Epichloë festucae var. lolii×Epichloë typhina isolate Lp1 (E. sp. Lp1); Claviceps species; Claviceps africana (C. africana); Claviceps gigantea (C. gigantea); Epichloë coenophiala and Periglandula species, wherein gene easA or gene easM is inactivated in said A. fumigatus, is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of methods and systems related to stimulus responsive nanoparticles. In one embodiment includes a stimulus responsive nanoparticle system, the system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of elongated electro-responsive nanoparticles dispersed between the first and second electrodes, the plurality of electro-responsive nanorods configured to respond to an electric field established between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for the global quantitative characterization of patterns. In one representative embodiment, a method is provided in which fractal analysis is performed on a pattern to generate a global quantitative characterization of the pattern in a computer system.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for detecting a match in patterns. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises performing a fractal analysis on a first pattern in a computer system to generate a first global quantitative characterization of the first pattern. The method further comprises comparing the first global quantitative characterization with a second global quantitative characterization associated with a second pattern in the computer system to determine whether the first pattern matches the second pattern. The second global quantitative characterization is generated from the second pattern.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for the detection of patterns. In one embodiment, a pattern detection method is provided that comprises the step of performing a fractal analysis of a pattern to generate a plurality of scaling parameters from a fractal associated with the pattern in a computer system. In addition, the method further comprises the step of detecting a degree of organization in the pattern by examining a degree of equality among the scaling parameters of the fractal in the computer system.

Abstract: A TAF compound that can have substitutions on either of the two benzene rings and/or the C-5 position of the triazole to alter the properties of the TAF compound can be wherein X can be H, an aromatic group, a hetero aromatic group, an alkyl or any substituted alkyl group, ketone, aldyhyde, carboxylic acid derivatives; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y5 can be one or more of H, aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives; and Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5 can be one or more of H aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives. Included is a preparation of the TAF compound and use as a photoactive and/or catalyst.

Abstract: A solid sorbent for the capture and the transport of carbon dioxide gas is provided having at least one first layer of a positively charged material that is polyethylenimine or poly(allylamine hydrochloride), that captures at least a portion of the gas, and at least one second layer of a negatively charged material that is polystyrenesulfonate or poly(acryclic acid), that transports the gas, wherein the second layer of material is in juxtaposition to, attached to, or crosslinked with the first layer for forming at least one bilayer, and a solid substrate support having a porous surface, wherein one or more of the bilayers is/are deposited on the surface of and/or within the solid substrate. A method of preparing and using the solid sorbent is provided.

Abstract: A nanoparticle aerosol generator, comprised of a vibrating fluidized bed with a baffle, a vibrating Venturi disperser and a cyclone separator. To generate nanoparticle aerosols, the nanoparticle aerosol generator uses the multiple impaction, vibrating air flow and vibrating high speed air flow to break up larger agglomerates, and multiple dilution to minimize the re-agglomeration of the particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction and obtaining a mesophase pitch. A method of obtaining a quinoline insoluble-free and ash-free mesophase pitch may include exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract that is quinoline insoluble-free, and distilling the coal extract under vacuum to obtain a mesophase pitch with a softening point in the range of 25 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius, wherein the mesophase pitch can be coked to obtain an anisotropic coke. A quinoline insoluble-free and ash-free pitch may be obtained by the method.

Abstract: A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.

Abstract: An inorganic solid electrolyte glass phase composite is provided comprising a substance of the general formula La2/3-xLi3xTiO3 wherein x ranges from about 0.04 to about 0.17, and a glass material. The glass material is one or more compounds selected from Li2O, Li2S, Li2SO4, Li3PO4, B2O3, P2O5, P2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, MgO, BaO, TiO2, GeO2, SiS2, Sb2O3, SnS, TaS2, P2S5, B2S3, and a combination of two or more thereof. A lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte composite is disclosed comprising a lithium-ion conductive substance of the general formula La2/3-xLi3xTiO3—Z wherein x ranges form about 0.04 to 0.17, and wherein “Z” is the glass material identified above. A battery is disclosed having at least one cathode and anode and an inorganic solid electrolyte glass phase composite as described above disposed on or between at least one of the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device to image and characterize human tumors, and to classify the tumors as either malignant or benign. The method includes using a multi-compression technique upon the tissue or organ combined with a 3D ultrasound strain imaging of the compressed tissue or organ for acquiring raw data and analyzing the raw data using a computer processing unit equipped with a nonlinear biomechanical tissue model for tumor classification. A device is provided having a compression stage for delivering multi-compression with continuous force measurements, and a 3D ultrasound transducer strain imaging probe, wherein the imaging probe and the compression stage are in communication with a computer processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A tapered quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is adapted to mate with the combustion chamber. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means, or waveform generator, that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A loop coupling is angularly positioned within the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator to match impedances between the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and the energy shaping means, or waveform generator. Radio frequency oscillations produce a standing wave in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and a corona discharge plasma develops near the center conductor.