Abstract: There is provided a flow system of a dialysis device including a dialysate conduit which is capable of being in fluid communication with the peritoneal cavity of a patient's body and of being in fluid communication with a flow path, the flow path allowing dialysate to flow from a patient's body to a sorbent capable of removing contaminants within the dialysate in an outflow mode and in an inflow mode returning the dialysate substantially free of contaminants to the patient's body. The device also includes a pump for moving the dialysate along the flow path in both the outflow mode and inflow mode and a plurality of valves disposed along the flow path. There is also provided a portable dialysis device.

Abstract: There is provided a sorbent for removing metabolic waste products from a dialysis liquid, the sorbent comprising a layer of immobilized uremic toxin-treating enzyme particles intermixed with cation exchange particles.

Abstract: The input/output (I/O) performance of a hard disk drive in a mass storage computer system is evaluated to maintain efficiency by addressing I/O commands to sectors of the disk drive, evaluating the execution of the I/O commands to the sectors to obtain performance information for the sectors to which the I/O commands are addressed, comparing the performance information to a predetermined I/O performance criterion, and identifying any impaired sectors in which the performance information indicates less than the predetermined I/O performance criterion. Thereafter, further I/O commands to the impaired sectors are avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of Fused Deposition Modeling to construct three-dimensional (3D) bioresorbable scaffolds from bioresorbable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), or from composites of bioresorbable polymers and ceramics, such as polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA). Incorporation of a bioresorbable ceramic to produce a hybrid/composite material support provides the desired degradation and resorption kinetics. Such a composite material improves the biocompatibility and hard tissue integration and allows for increased initial flash spread of serum proteins. The basic resorption products of the composite also avoids the formation of an unfavorable environment for hard tissue cells due to a decreased pH. The scaffolds have applications in tissue engineering, e.g., in tissue engineering bone and cartilage.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems of determining biopolymer profiles and correlations between structural units (residues) of a biopolymer based on sampling of the conformational space available to the molecule. The correlations between these structural units can further be used to find networks within a biopolymer such as the coupled residue networks in a protein. The invention also provides for designing and engineering biopolymers including polypeptides, nucleic acids and carbohydrates using the information derived from the conformation clustering and subsequent methods described herein.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply has first and second input terminals, first and second inductors, first and second AC switch units, first and second storing devices and a control unit. The first and the second inductors are electrically connected to the first and the second input terminals. The first and the second AC switch units are electrically connected to the first and the second inductors for conducting input currents. The control unit is electrically connected to the first and the second AC switch units which may be turned on and off thereby to control the first and the second inductors which charge the input currents and discharge the input currents to the first and the second storing devices.

Abstract: In a system and method for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, an electronic device with a destructible extrusion is associated and supplied with the manufactured item, where detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion is detected and initiates warranty coverage. The electronic device with the destructible extrusion is then attached in such a way as to require detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion during an event that is appropriate to initiate warranty coverage. This may be the opening of the manufactured item's package, or it may be required before the manufactured item can be put to use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer as well as methods of treatment of cancer that are based on the finding that certain benzimidazole based anti-cancer agents can be used in combination with a second anti-cancer agent to achieve desirable therapeutic outcomes. More specifically the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition including a benzimidazole based anti-cancer agent and a second anti-cancer agent. The invention also relates to methods of treatment of cancer including administration of a benzimidazole based anti-cancer agent and a second anti-cancer agent to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A method and system are described for protecting a manufactured item from counterfeiting. The manufactured item, which is marked with an identifier, such as a serial number, is associated with a code generator that has secret functions and data for generating verification codes. The manufactured item is then supplied along with the corresponding code generator. Thereafter, the identifier from the manufactured item and the verification code generated by the code generator are used to verify authenticity of the manufactured item.

Abstract: A multi-input power converter and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having the same, wherein the multi-input power converter has input connection means, inductor means, switch means, rectifier means, output storing means and switch control means. The inductor means is electrically connected to the input connection means. The switch means is electrically connected to the inductor means for conducting input currents. The switch control means is electrically connected to the switch means to control the inductor means charging the input currents and discharging the input currents to the output storing means to perform the DC to DC converting, AC to DC converting and power factor correction functions by controlling the switch means turning on and off.

Abstract: In a method and system for providing anti-counterfeit and product safety to a manufactured item, two substantially unique verification codes, one readable and the other hidden, are associated and supplied with the manufactured item. The verification codes are initialized to a first state at a validation service. Either or both codes may be submitted to a validation service for validation for any number of occasions, with the validation service responding with a message appropriate to the current state of the code. When the hidden verification code is exposed and submitted to the validation service for validation, a first successful validation is used as an event that triggers a state transition of both the readable and the hidden verification codes from the first state to a second state.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism comprises a slide base, a rotation arm and an elastic member. The slide base is disposed over a bottom surface of a second device and is slidable in first and second sliding directions. The sliding base has a track defining a closed sliding path that comprises a first positioning point, a first release point, a second positioning point, and second release point. The rotation arm comprises first and second ends, the first end being disposed on the bottom surface around a pivot, and the second end having a slide member capable of being positioned at the first positioning point or the second positioning point along the sliding path of the track. The elastic member is provided on the bottom surface and is configured to cause the second end of the rotation arm to rotate and to cause the slide base to slide.

Abstract: A configuration composed of multiple short emitters still share common DTI regions and a single big piece of base poly. This allows for base current to flow in 4 directions (e.g., 2 dimensions) as opposed to only two. This significantly reduces the base resistance of the transistor that is crucial for better NPN transistor RF performance and high frequency noise performance.

Abstract: In a method and system for providing product safety to a manufactured item, a verification code is associated with the manufactured item. The verification code is initialized to an unvalidated state. The manufactured item is then supplied with this verification code hidden from view. The verification code may be exposed by a user and submitted to a validation service for validation for any number of occasions. In response to the validation service receiving the verification code for validation, the user is provided with an indicator of a current state of the verification code. A first successful validation of the verification code is then used as an event that triggers a state transition of the verification code from the unvalidated state to a validated state.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a light emitting semiconductor die mounted on at least one of first and second electrically conductive bonding pads, which are located on a first major surface of a substrate of the device. The light emitting semiconductor die has an anode and a cathode, which are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive bonding pads. The semiconductor device further includes first and second electrically conductive connecting pads, which are located on a second major surface of the substrate. The first and second electrically conductive bonding pads are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive connecting pads via first and second electrically conductive interconnecting elements.

Abstract: An optical encoder including a leadframe substrate, an emitter, and a detector is disclosed. The leadframe substrate bent to include a base portion, an emitter portion and a detector portion. The emitter, for emitting light, is mounted on the emitter portion. The detector, for detecting light, is mounted on the detector portion. The emitter portion lies at an emitter angle relative to the base portion such that light emitted by the emitter is generally directed at a desired direction. The detector portion lies at a detector angle relative to the base portion such that reflected light is captured by the detector. Due to the angles at which the emitter and the detector are mounted, lenses are not necessary; however, even if lenses are used, the encoder is more robust towards manufacturing tolerances of the lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detachable wheel structure of a baby carriage. In accordance with the present invention, a wheel holder can be easily separated from a coupling base by merely pressing a movable pillar such that the user can operate it in an easeful posture, thereby providing the convenience in detaching the wheel holder.

Abstract: A reflection-based optical encoding apparatus for the detection of position and/or motion of a mechanical device includes an encoding medium having at least a first reflective portion, and an encoder housing having a light-emitting source and a light-detecting sensor embedded within, the encoder housing being placed in proximity to the encoding medium such that a functional light path can be established from the light-emitting source to the light-detecting sensor via the first reflective portion of the encoding medium. The encoder housing includes a first flat facet positioned between the light-emitting source and the encoding medium, the first flat facet having a first angle relative to a common geometric plane such that light passing from the light-emitting source to the encoding medium is refracted along a first angled path in a manner that the refracted light strikes a desired location of the encoding medium.

Abstract: An encoder having a code strip and an emitter-detector module is disclosed. The code strip includes alternating reflective and opaque stripes. The emitter-detector module includes a housing, a lens insert, a light source and a photodetector. Light from the light source illuminates the code strip, and light reflected from the code strip is incident on the photodetector. The lens insert includes a lens that processes light generated by the light source either before the light reaches the code strip or after the light is reflected from the code strip. The lens insert mates with the housing to position the lens at a predetermined point relative to the light source or the photodetector. The housing will accept a plurality of lens inserts, each lens insert having a different lens from the others of the lens inserts.

Abstract: A direction-limiting device for a stroller includes a mounting seat, a wheel assembly, and a direction-limiting device. The mounting seat includes a base coupled to a frame of a stroller. The wheel assembly includes a frame having a positioning hole. The direction-limiting mechanism includes a press button and a positioning member. When the press button is in an initial position, a lower end of the positioning member is disengaged from the positioning hole to allow free pivotal movement of the wheel assembly relative to the base. When the press button is pressed and then released, the lower end of the positioning member is engaged in the positioning hole, allowing joint movement of the wheel assembly and the base. Thus, even moving on a rugged road or hitting a bump on a road, the stroller will move straightly forward or rearward without the risk of turning over.