Abstract: An amplifier system and method that eliminates memory effects due to amplifier sharing. The amplifier has a plurality of input stages. An input to be amplified is applied to one of the input stages of the amplifier, while the other input stages are turned off and reset. The inputs of the unused input stages are thus reset and equalized while the other input stage is turned on to receive the input to be amplified. An explicit reset phase is not needed.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: Stem cell reprogramming genes cloned into a single sustained expression-type Sendai viral vector are shown to reprogram differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells without integration of vector sequences into the host cell's genome. The genes are transduced into normal differentiated somatic cells via infection with recombinant Sendai virus. After expression of the reprogramming genes and subsequent induction of pluripotency, the vector genome RNA including the reprogramming genes is removed from the cell to establish an iPS cell that is genetically identical to the parent somatic differentiated cell thus reducing the risk of tumorigenic transformation caused by random integration of vector sequences into the host genome. The method promises to provide safe, autologous iPS cells that can be used for human cell replacement and regeneration therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a reconstructed signal from a plurality of sub-signals is provided. The method includes injecting a calibration signal having multiple tones into a received input signal; dividing the input signal into a first and second sub-signal, including an overlapping frequency band; performing a first frequency translation by converting frequency components of the second sub-signal; digitizing the first sub-signal and the frequency converted second sub-signal; performing a second frequency translation to reverse the first frequency translation to obtain a reconstructed second sub-signal; and quantifying impairments to the digital first sub-signal and reconstructed second sub-signal caused by differences in magnitude and phase of frequency components within the overlapping frequency band.

Abstract: A reprogramming gene-loaded Sendai viral vector comprising Sendai virus genes and reprogramming genes, wherein the Sendai virus genes include an NP gene, P/C gene, M gene, F gene, HN gene and L gene, wherein each of the M gene, the F gene and the FIN gene is from a Sendai virus strain Cl.151-derived gene and wherein at least one of the M gene, the F gene and the HN gene is functionally deleted and the L gene encodes the amino-acid sequence of the L protein in which the amino-acid residue at position 1618 is valine and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: Display contrast in electro-optical display devices is improved using a drive circuit including pixel drive circuits and a common drive circuit. The pixel drive circuits are connected to pixel electrodes of the display device, and are operable to generate respective pixel drive signals that alternate between a first high voltage and a first low voltage differing in voltage by less than or equal to a process-limited maximum. The common drive circuit is connected to a common electrode of the display device, and is operable to generate a common drive signal alternating between a second high voltage and a second low voltage differing in voltage by more than the process-limited maximum. The common drive signal is asymmetrically bipolar with respect to the first low voltage of the pixel drive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting wireless channel status from acoustic discrimination of spectral content are described. In one aspect, a wireless system includes a spectrum analyzer, a detector, and a controller. The spectrum analyzer is operable to acoustically discriminate spectral content of an input electrical signal in multiple discrete frequency channels. The detector is operable to determine respective statuses of the frequency channels from the acoustically discriminated spectral content. The controller is operable to select one of the frequency channels based on the determined statuses of the frequency channels.

Abstract: The pen input device has both a movement detection system and a position detection system that collectively track the position of the pen input device during a writing operation on a writing surface. The pen input device has a writing tip capable of performing a writing operation in contact with the writing surface. A controller is operable to activate the movement detection system continuously during the writing operation and to activate the position detection system intermittently during the writing operation. The movement detection system is operable to determine movement data that represent changes between successive positions of the writing tip. The position detection system is operable to determine position data that represents a position of the writing tip on the writing surface.

Abstract: The differential drive circuit generates a differential drive signal having a root mean square value defined by a digital input value. The differential drive signal includes a first differential component and a second differential component. The circuit comprises a first differential component generator and a second differential component generator. The first differential component generator is for counting the clock signal to generate successive values of a periodic count. Each of the values includes a most-significant bit. The first differential component generator is additionally for generating the first differential component in response to successive ones of the most-significant bit of the count. The second differential component generator is for generating the second differential component in response to the digital input value and the successive values of the count.

Abstract: A current collector sheet for an electrode of an electrochemical device has a conductive area and an insulating area on the surface thereof. Examples of the current collector sheet includes: a current collector sheet including an insulating sheet, wherein the conductive area has a conductive layer formed on the surface of the insulating sheet, and the insulating area has an exposed portion of the insulating sheet; a current collector sheet including a conductive sheet, wherein the insulating area has an insulating layer formed on the surface of the conductive sheet, and the conductive area has an exposed portion of the conductive sheet; and a current collector sheet including a conductive sheet portion and an insulating sheet portion positioned flush with each other, wherein the conductive area has a surface of the conductive sheet portion, and the insulating area has a surface of the insulating sheet portion.

Abstract: Stem cell reprogramming genes cloned into a single sustained expression-type Sendai viral vector are shown to reprogram differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells without integration of vector sequences into the host cell's genome. The genes are transduced into normal differentiated somatic cells via infection with recombinant Sendai virus. After expression of the reprogramming genes and subsequent induction of pluripotency, the vector genome RNA including the reprogramming genes is removed from the cell to establish an iPS cell that is genetically identical to the parent somatic differentiated cell thus reducing the risk of tumorigenic transformation caused by random integration of vector sequences into the host genome. The method promises to provide safe, autologous iPS cells that can be used for human cell replacement and regeneration therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having an electrode plate assembly. The electrode plate assembly includes (a) at least one first electrode, (b) at least one second electrode, and (c) a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first current collector sheet and at least one first electrode mixture layer carried thereon. The second electrode includes a second current collector sheet and at least one second electrode mixture layer carried thereon. At least one of the first current collector sheet and the second current collector sheet has a conductive area and an insulating area.

Abstract: A persistently infective virus vector is produced by using a gene so modified as to encode an amino acid sequence including a valine substituted for an amino acid residue at position-1618 in the amino acid sequence for an L protein of a persistently non-infective Sendai virus. A non-transmissible, persistently infective virus vector is also produced by defecting or deleting at least one of M gene, F gene, and HN gene. These virus vectors have no cytotoxicity, can achieve the sustained gene expression over a long period of time, is safe, and is therefore useful.

Abstract: In one embodiment, ones of a plurality of drive currents are modulated in accordance with ones of a plurality of unique modulation sequences. The modulated drive currents are then applied to a plurality of light emitters. Thereafter, a stream of optical measurements is obtained from a photosensor that is positioned to sense the aggregate light emitted by the light emitters. The stream of optical measurements is then correlated with the modulation sequences to extract optical responses to each of the plurality of drive currents. Finally, each drive current is regulated based on its relationship to its corresponding optical response. Related apparatus, and other methods for regulating the drive currents of a plurality of light emitters, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in display devices produces a spatial pattern of light at different wavelengths using multiple light sources and waveguides. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength. The waveguides define optical apertures that are spatially arranged in a predetermined pattern, and each waveguide is optically coupled to one of the light sources to produce the spatial pattern of light at wavelengths corresponding to the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: In one embodiment, light having a first spectrum is filtered from a mixed light. Light having a second spectrum, different from the first spectrum, is also filtered from the mixed light. An intensity of the light having the first spectrum, and an intensity of the light having the second spectrum, are then sensed. From the sensed intensities of the lights having the first and second spectrums, an intensity of light having a third spectrum is estimated.

Abstract: A distributed power generation system enabled for assured reliability comprises a direct current power source, a direct current to alternating current converter (DTAC), electrically coupled to the direct current power source, the DTAC comprising a reliability limiting component (RLC) and a sensor for sensing a measurable parameter of the RLC. A decision engine is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and is operable to determine a lifetime estimate for the RLC based on the measurable parameter. A service provider is communicatively coupled to the decision engine by a communication system to receive a signal communicating the lifetime estimate. The service provider schedules preventative maintenance based on the signal communicating the lifetime estimate.

Abstract: A computer peripheral system includes a computer peripheral and a mechanical input device adapted to initiate a conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. The computer peripheral includes an energy conversion device adapted to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The converted electrical energy provides power to at least one computer peripheral component.