Abstract: Provided is a method of measuring a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound in the presence of a biodegradation medium, characterized by including: measuring a concentration of a radioactive carbon isotope 14C in a biodegradation medium; and measuring a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound from a difference between the concentration of 14C in the biodegradation medium and a concentration of 14C in modern carbon. Further, a metal such as iron in the medium can be used as an internal standard. According to the method, a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound can be measured safely, simply, rapidly, and accurately without providing any special measures against radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a biological sample associated with a container is disclosed. A universally unique identifier is associated with each container. In one or more embodiments, the identifier comprises one or more markings having a specular reflectance which differs from the specular reflectance of the outer surface of the container adjacent the markings. A detection apparatus detects the differences in specular reflectance light to identify the identifier associated with the container. The identifier is associated with certain information regarding the container and biological sample. From that point forward, any information about the contents of the container may be retrieved by searching on its container ID. Because the container ID is assured by its manufacturer to be universally unique, the container and sample may move from one organization to another under the same identifier, and information about the contents of the container may be shared by querying on its container ID.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining binder distribution on a sample in which a selected sample is contacted with a transfer medium in a manner such that at least 15% of any fluorescing binder present on the surface of the sample will be transferred to the transfer medium, a digital image of the transfer medium is generated and analyzed for binder distribution.

Abstract: Single crystals with low scattering, small refractive index differences and few small angle grain boundaries have a bi-directional scattering distribution function value (BSDF) of less than 1.5*10?6 or 5*10?7.

Abstract: A method to produce photo-catalyst physical water molecule for medical purposes includes the following steps: mixing aqua pura and TiO2 at the ratio of 1:1 at a temperature range of 50 to 60° C. to be ground and refrigerated in flasks of a first semi-product; adding aqua pura at the ratio of 1:1 and mixing well to become a second semi-product; diluting with aqua pura and mixing well to indicate a viscosity of 800 to 10000 centipoises; storing the solution in a sealed and transparent container to undergo photosynthesis for 24 hours at a temperature range of 40 to 50° C.; ridding off 1% suspension and foreign matters and impurities of the sediments to avail solution of 20% solid containment; finally diluting with approximately 100% aqua pura to 0.3 to 0.8%.

Abstract: This invention is intended to overcome the problems with conventional phosphor materials, specifically to overcome the problems of insufficient luminance and of color impurity on the screens of color display units when green phosphor materials have blue or red light emission. This invention is intended to provide vacuum ultraviolet excited green phosphor materials that include terbium, gadolinium-doped rare-earth aluminum scandium borate represented by the following general formula: (Y1-x-yGdxTby)Al3-zScz(BO3)4 (0?x<0.5, 0<y<0.5, 0<z?3). The phosphor materials of this invention can be used for light-emitting devices. Using the phosphor materials in combination with blue phosphor materials and red phosphor materials enables the formation of white emitting device.

Abstract: A base connection is provided for supporting a concrete wall panel on an underlying support structure. The base connection comprises a generally vertical mounting plate, a wall plate, a pair of slips, and a cover plate secured to and extending upwardly from the support structure. The mounting plate includes one or more generally vertically-elongated slots. The wall plate is embedded within the concrete wall panel toward a lower end defined by the concrete wall panel. The cover plate is located outwardly of the mounting plate. An inner slip plate is located between the mounting plate and the wall plate, and an outer slip plate is located between the cover plate and the mounting plate. Threaded connectors extend interconnect the cover plate and the embedded wall plate, extending through openings in the slip plates and through one of the generally vertically aligned slots in the mounting plate.

Abstract: A well block for use within a circulation chamber of a molten metal furnace, comprising A first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion is positioned atop said second portion, said first and second portions defining a cavity which includes an upper cylindrical surface defining a gradually decreasing diameter, a lower cylindrical surface having a diameter less than said upper cylindrical surface and a medial surface interposed between said upper and said lower cylindrical surfaces, and an outlet positioned proximate to said lower cylindrical surface, said cavity communicating with the circulation chamber via said outlet.

Abstract: The present invention describes a Pd-catalyst which further contains La, Ti, Nb, K or Si. The Pd-catalyst has a high ethylene selectivity even after a low temperature reduction in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene. The invention also relates to the production of the catalyst. A catalyst of the invention consists essentially of 0.05 to 2.0% by weight, based on the supported catalyst, of palladium and one or two metals chosen form the group consisting of lanthanum, niobium, titanium, potassium and silicon. The catalyst can be prepared by the following procedure. (1) Impregnating a support in aqueous solution of tetra amine palladium hydroxide, followed by drying and calcination; (2) The second and, if necessary, a third metal is impregnated by impregnating the Pd-catalyst in the solution of the metal precursor followed by drying and calcination; (3) The catalyst according to step (2) is then reduced in hydrogen at 200° C. to 600° C. for 1 to 5 hours.

Abstract: A relatively thick electrode is positioned opposite the surface of a substrate/second electrode. The electrode and the substrate surface are both contacted by a solution including silicon nanoparticles. The substrate surface is completely immersed in the solution in a manner such that there is not an air/solution interface and there is no meniscus at the substrate surface. Application of electrical potential between the electrode and the substrate creates a film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate. Drying of the film induces the film to roll up and form a silicon nanoparticle nanotube material. A film may be subdivided into an array of identical portions, and the identical portions will roll into identical tubes having same length and diameter. A silicon nanoparticle nanotube material of the invention includes nanotubes formed of silicon nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of reducing solder mask interface attack in a process of fabricating printed circuit boards. The method comprises the steps of providing a printed circuit board with a solder mask applied thereon and treating the printed circuit board with an immersion plating solution, wherein the immersion plating solution is plated onto the printed circuit board with the use of ultrasonics in the plating bath. It has been found that the use of ultrasonics at a frequency of about 40 kHz for the entire plating duration provides beneficial results.

Abstract: Provided are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices incorporating a fin-FET structure that provides body-bias control, exhibits some characteristic advantages associated with SOI structures, provides increased operating current and/or reduced contact resistance. The methods for fabricating semiconductor devices include forming insulating spacers on the sidewalls of a protruding portion of a first insulation film; forming a second trench by removing exposed regions of the semiconductor substrate using the insulating spacers as an etch mask, and thus forming fins in contact with and supported by the first insulation film. After forming the fins, a third insulation film is formed to fill the second trench and support the fins. A portion of the first insulation film is then removed to open a space between the fins in which additional structures including gate dielectrics, gate electrodes and additional contact, insulating and storage node structures may be formed.

Abstract: A handheld fluid cooled electric solder tweezers. A pair of soldering heads extend from a pair of tweezer members, respectively, and are operatively connected to a cooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus of each tweezer member includes a pair of heat dissipating tubes that travel in an associated tweezer member, with distal ends thereof in fluid communication with an associated soldering head, and with a proximal end of one thereof fluidly communicating with a fluid source. A crossover tube fluidly communicates the proximal end of one tube of one tweezer member with the proximal end of one tube of the other tweezer member.

Abstract: A method for heat treating metallic strips inside a heat treatment chamber at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure including passing the strips through at least one heating zone of the chamber and moving the strip through at least one cooling zone of the chamber. A first protective gas atmosphere containing nitrogen and hydrogen and/or helium is established in all but at least one cooling zone. The at least one cooling zone has a second protective atmosphere containing nitrogen and a second amount of hydrogen, the second amount of hydrogen is greater than the first amount. Nitrogen is introduced into the chamber, and a protective gas containing a third hydrogen content greater than the second hydrogen content is injected into the cooling zone, producing a gas exchange between one zone of the chamber having the first protective atmosphere and the cooling zone, and controlling the flow of introduction and injection.

Abstract: Nanometer to micrometer sized particles containing platinum and having selected morphologies are prepared by a sonochemical process. A compound of platinum is dissolved, suspended, or diluted in a suitable liquid medium at a predetermined concentration and the liquid is maintained at a predetermined temperature from sub-ambient temperatures to above ambient temperatures. A reducing gas is bubbled through the liquid as it is subjected to cavitation at a controlled power to affect the reductive decomposition of the platinum compound. The morphology of the precipitated platinum particles can be varied widely by varying the described concentration, temperature and power parameters.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of aerogels that involves the exchange of the liquid present in the aquagel with xenon and the subsequent extraction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment catalyst characterized by containing a compound oxide expressed by the following general formula (1), AMxOy ??(1) (wherein A represents an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, M represents Cr, Mn, Fe, Co or Ni, O represents oxygen, and 0<x?4 and 0<y?8) and an exhaust gas treatment method using the said catalyst. According to the present invention, there can be provided an exhaust gas treatment compound oxide that can effectively remove particulates and NOx contained in exhaust gas with a high oxygen concentration that is discharged from a diesel engine etc., and also has excellent resistance to sulfur poisoning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing ZSM-5 having substantially 100% crystallinity by using variable temperatures in the absence of an organic template, characterized in that a reaction mixture having a molar composition of M2O/SiO2 (M: alkali metal ion) of 0.07-0.14, H2O/SiO2 of 15-42 and SiO2/Al2O3 of 20-100 is nucleated at relatively high temperatures (180-210° C.) and then crystallized at relatively low temperatures (130-170° C.), thus easily controlling a crystal size and a particle size distribution of the ZSM-5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new crystalline molecular sieve SSZ-74 prepared using a hexamethylene-1,6-bis-(N-methyl-N-pyrrolidinium)dication as a structure-directing agent, and its use in the reduction of oxides of nitrogen in a gas stream such as the exhaust from an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. These delivery compositions include (a) an active agent; and (b) a carrier of at least one mono-C-substituted or di-C-substituted diketopiperazine. Methods for preparing these compositions and administering these compositions are also provided.