Abstract: A device for treating a patient using sensory substitution includes a wearable article in which are disposed one or more sensors for detecting the phase of the gait cycle of the patient, a controller for receiving signals from the sensors indicative of the phase of the gait, and one more stimulators for stimulating the patient based on signals from the controller that are issued in response to the sensor signals.

Abstract: An ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel having an interior, an exterior, an inlet, and an outlet; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region, wherein any inlet and any outlet of the pressure vessel are in flow communication with exterior regions of the membrane modules; and (c) one or more gas manifolds in flow communication with interior regions of the membrane modules and with the exterior of the pressure vessel. The ion transport membrane system may be utilized in a gas separation device to recover oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas or as an oxidation reactor to oxidize compounds in a feed gas stream by oxygen permeated through the mixed metal oxide ceramic material of the membrane modules.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of impairments relating to neuropathy rely on sensory substitution to train a patient to associate an affected condition with stimuli that are generated based on detection of the condition.

Abstract: The invention provides multisegmented, multifunctional magnetic nanowires for the probing and manipulation of molecules at the cellular and subcellular level. The different segments of the nanowire may have differing properties, including a variety of magnetic, non-magnetic, and luminescent behavior. Differences in surface chemistry allow different segments of a single nanowire to be functionalized with different multiple functional groups and/or ligands, giving the wire chemical multifunctionality.

Abstract: An ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel having an interior, an inlet adapted to introduce gas into the interior of the vessel, an outlet adapted to withdraw gas from the interior of the vessel, and an axis; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region; and (c) one or more gas flow control partitions disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and adapted to change a direction of gas flow within the vessel.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for providing a notification of the availability of a target communication device to receive a call monitors the target communication device to effectuate a generation of a notification signal at a calling communication device when the target communication device is available to receive a call. The monitoring of the target communication device may involve receiving the latest status information of the target communication device from a network, such as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A system and method for managing voice communications routes a first telephone call from a remote source to a remote destination using a second telephone call. The first telephone call is made through a first network, which may be one of a circuit switching network and a packet switching network, while the second telephone call is made through a second network, which is one of the circuit and packet switching network that differs from the first network. The second telephone call is initiated in response to the first telephone call. The first and second telephone calls are then interconnected to connect the remote source to the remote destination.

Abstract: A system and method for managing voice communications utilizes a switching unit to selectively interconnect signal paths between a telephone, a circuit switching network and a packet switching network at the premises of a telephone line subscriber to selectively route telecommunication signals between the telephone, the circuit switching network and the packet switching network. Thus, the switching unit allows one or more telephone calls to be established through the circuit switching network and/or through the packet switching network.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a surface is provided with a plurality of microscale magnets (“micromagnets”) disposed on a surface in a pattern to form a desired distribution of magnetic field strength. Cells and magnetic nanowires are attached, immersed in fluid, and flowed over the pattern. The nanowires and their bound cells are attracted to and bound to regions of the pattern as controlled by the geometry and magnetic properties of the pattern, the strength and direction of the fluid flow, and the strength and direction of an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: An ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel having an interior, an exterior, an inlet, and an outlet; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region, wherein any inlet and any outlet of the pressure vessel are in flow communication with exterior regions of the membrane modules; and (c) one or more gas manifolds in flow communication with interior regions of the membrane modules and with the exterior of the pressure vessel. The ion transport membrane system may be utilized in a gas separation device to recover oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas or as an oxidation reactor to oxidize compounds in a feed gas stream by oxygen permeated through the mixed metal oxide ceramic material of the membrane modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for breaking down pieces of material into smaller pieces and for separating out different substances making up the material, one of the substances being a fibrous textile and another being metal, comprising the steps of subjecting the pieces to a series of dismemberments to produce progressively smaller pieces falling within a predetermined size range; separating the smaller pieces into a plurality of fractions, each fraction including pieces within a predetermined size range; and subjecting each fraction to a flow of air calibrated to cause separation of the fibrous textile material from the pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stick type umbrella with reinforced frame including a shaft, which connects with a frame having several sets, such as six sets or eight sets, of main ribs and stretchers. The frame is to provide with two different rib-set structures alternately on the frame. One set is to provide a cord between a middle position of the stretcher and an outer position of the main rib, and the other set is to provide a movable joint at the outer end of the stretcher positioned on the relative main rib between two fixed rings. As the cord pulls the main rib tight and the movable joint functions on the main rib to release wind pressure, the stick type umbrella with the present invention can be quite useful and is capable of avoiding breakage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protecting structure for a stick type umbrella, which includes a shaft assembled with several sets of main ribs and stretcher, while a cover is provided on the ribs. The characteristic is to provide a reinforced cord to connect the main rib and the relative stretcher for holding the main rib to resist the upward wind while the umbrella is open. Thus, the ribs are protected safe against the strong wind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stick type umbrella with reinforced frame including a shaft, which connects with a frame having several sets, such as six sets or eight sets, of main ribs and stretchers. The frame is to provide with two different rib-set structures alternately on the frame. One set is to provide a cord between a middle position of the stretcher and an outer position of the main rib, and the other set is to provide a movable joint at the outer end of the stretcher positioned on the relative main rib between two fixed rings. As the cord pulls the main rib tight and the movable joint functions on the main rib to release wind pressure, the stick type umbrella with the present invention can be quite useful and is capable of avoiding breakage.

Abstract: The invention provides multisegmented, multifunctional magnetic nanowires for the probing and manipulation of molecules at the cellular and subcellular level. The different segments of the nanowire may have differing properties, including a variety of magnetic, non-magnetic, and luminescent behavior. Differences in surface chemistry allow different segments of a single nanowire to be functionalized with different multiple functional groups and/or ligands, giving the wire chemical multifunctionality.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a cache memory subsystem includes a processor, a cache control unit and a SRAM serving as the cache memory. The SRAM is a synchronous SRAM. The cache control unit provides appropriately timed control signals to the SRAM when the processor is accessing the cache memory. The SRAM can be either a pipelined architecture SRAM (register output SRAM) or a flow-through access architecture SRAM (latch output SRAM). The cache control unit is selectably configured to operate in a pipelined mode (1-1-1) or a flow-through (2-2) mode. The cache control unit is configured in the 1-1-1 mode when the SRAM is a pipelined architecture SRAM having a clock rate equal to the processor. When the SRAM is a flow-through architecture SRAM that cannot be clocked at the same rate as the processor, the cache control unit is configured in the 2-2 mode and the SRAM is clocked at a clock rate half of the processor clock rate.