Abstract: Provided herein are fluorescent bioprobes comprising fluorogens that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) labeled on biomolecules. The present subject matter relates to a fluorescent bioprobe comprising one or more fluorogen labeled on chitosan. The present subject matter is also directed to methods of preparing the fluorescent bioprobes, methods of labeling and detecting DNA and/or proteins with the fluorescent bioprobe, and methods of cell imaging including live cell tracking.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: On field ionization under ambient conditions is described and applied on both ionization and desorption of various chemicals and biochemical present on the surface of materials in solid, liquid or gas states. The Atmospheric Pressure Megavolt Electrostatic Field Ionization Desorption (APME-FID) method generates ions directly from the surface of samples connected to a high electrical voltage at megavolt conditions. Megavolt electrostatic potential is generated and gradually accumulated directly on the sample surface by a Van de Graaff generator without causing damage to the sample. Therefore, when coupled with mass spectrometric system, the APME-FID-MS method enables direct detection of analytes on the surface of samples in different sizes and diverse types.

Abstract: Examples of slide-in ramps for hard-disk drives are disclosed. In one example according to aspects of the present disclosure, a slide-in ramp includes: a ramp body, a head load/unload section connected to the ramp body, and a slot defined in the ramp body. The slot includes a first portion and a second portion. A first upper surface of the ramp body surrounds the first portion of the slot at a top side of the ramp body, and a second upper surface of the ramp body surrounds the second portion of the slot at the top side of the ramp body. The second upper surface is non-coplanar with the first upper surface according to various examples.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods allowing selective bypass of code flows in computer software. According to particular embodiments, a bypass attribute is introduced into code flows (e.g., present for development and/or testing purposes only) that are to be disabled prior to releasing the final operational version of the software. A value for the bypass attribute is determined at single, a central engine. Based upon that bypass attribute value, the code flow is either executed or bypassed. In certain embodiments the bypass attribute is implemented in the form of a substitute variable. In some embodiments the bypass attribute is implemented in the form of a code flow call. The bypass attribute may operate in a sequential manner, such that execution of other downstream code flows is also bypassed. One example is provided in the form of bypassing code flows of an Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process.

Abstract: A network switch apparatus, includes: a network port configured to receive a packet; instrument ports configured to communicate with respective network monitoring instruments; a packet duplication module configured to copy the packet to provide multiple packets that are identical to each other: a tagging module configured to tag the multiple packets with different respective identifiers to obtain tagged packets; and a processing unit coupled to the instrument ports; wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether a first one of the tagged packets satisfies a first criterion, whether a second one of the tagged packets satisfies a second criterion, process the first one of the tagged packets in a first manner if the first one of the tagged packets satisfies the first criterion, and process the second one of the tagged packets in a second manner if the second one of the tagged packets satisfies the second criterion.

Abstract: Fluorescent bioprobes comprising luminogen formed nanoparticles comprising luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which can be used for long-term cell tracking. The luminogens are nonemissive in organic solution but become highly emissive when aggregated in aqueous solution. The fluorescent molecules can readily pass through cell membranes, stain only the cell cytoplasm, and form highly emissive nanoaggregates in aqueous media without any obvious cytoxicity in the living cells. Furthermore, the molecules can be retained inside the cells without noticeable leakage to the outside. Therefore, these AIE-based compounds can be used as selective and cell-compatible fluroescent bioprobes for long-term live cell tracking and imaging.

Abstract: A network switch apparatus, includes: a network port configured to receive a packet; instrument ports configured to communicate with respective network monitoring instruments; a packet duplication module configured to copy the packet to provide multiple packets that are identical to each other; a tagging module configured to tag the multiple packets with different respective identifiers to obtain tagged packets; and a processing unit coupled to the instrument ports; wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether a first one of the tagged packets satisfies a first criterion, whether a second one of the tagged packets satisfies a second criterion, process the first one of the tagged packets in a first manner if the first one of the tagged packets satisfies the first criterion, and process the second one of the tagged packets in a second manner if the second one of the tagged packets satisfies the second criterion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier tape having pockets for carrying electronic components. The carrier tape includes a longitudinally extending elevated central portion having a plurality of pockets formed therein and two side portions, each side portion disposed on opposite sides of the elevated central portion and extending longitudinally therewith, wherein each side portion is attached to the elevated central portion by an inclined portion such that the central portion is higher than the side portions when disposed in a flat configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of metal oxide nanocrystals preparation. In embodiments, a metal-organic precursor may be economically synthesized by reacting a metal with an organic acid. The organic acid may include an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms. The metal may be In, Sn, Al, Ga, Zn, Cd, Sb, Bi, Ge, Mn, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, Fe, Y, Mg, Co, as well as mixtures thereof. Further processing of the metal-organic precursor (e.g. by pyrolysis, hydrolysis, or alcoholysis) produces metal oxide nanocrystals of desired characteristics. An metal-organic precursor of indium tin oxide (ITO) may be synthesized by reacting indium metal and tin metal with an organic acid having an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms (e.g. stearic acid) at a temperature above 200° C. Further processing of the resulting metal-organic precursor yields ITO nanocrystals of regular shape, uniform size, and average diameter ranging of between about 1-500 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier tape having pockets for carrying electronic components. The carrier tape includes a longitudinally extending elevated central portion having a plurality of pockets formed therein and two side portions, each side portion disposed on opposite sides of the elevated central portion and extending longitudinally therewith, wherein each side portion is attached to the elevated central portion by an inclined portion such that the central portion is higher than the side portions when disposed in a flat configuration.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an ionizing electrode of an ionizer, and ionizers that include a cleaning device for cleaning ionizing electrodes of the ionizer.

Abstract: An ionizer, including: an ionizing electrode for ionizing air and having a longitudinal first direction; and a cleaning member including a plurality of spaced apart bundles of bristles for cleaning the ionizing electrode when the cleaning member comes into contact with the ionizing electrode, each bundle of bristles in the plurality of spaced apart bundles of bristles being offset relative to the other bundles of bristles in the plurality of spaced apart bundles of bristles along the first direction and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrier tape having pockets for carrying electronic components. The carrier tape includes a longitudinally extending elevated central portion having a plurality of pockets formed therein and two side portions, each side portion disposed on opposite sides of the elevated central portion and extending longitudinally therewith, wherein each side portion is attached to the elevated central portion by an inclined portion such that the central portion is higher than the side portions when disposed in a flat configuration.

Abstract: A network switch apparatus, includes: a network port configured to receive a packet; instrument ports configured to communicate with respective network monitoring instruments; a packet duplication module configured to copy the packet to provide multiple packets that are identical to each other; a tagging module configured to tag the multiple packets with different respective identifiers to obtain tagged packets; and a processing unit coupled to the instrument ports; wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether a first one of the tagged packets satisfies a first criterion, whether a second one of the tagged packets satisfies a second criterion, process the first one of the tagged packets in a first manner if the first one of the tagged packets satisfies the first criterion, and process the second one of the tagged packets in a second manner if the second one of the tagged packets satisfies the second criterion.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network component includes providing a plurality of templates, each of which is selectable for configuring the network component, wherein each of the templates has a set of available attributes associated thereto and includes a plurality of entry groups, each of the entry groups including a plurality of entries for allowing network processing rules that involve one or more of the attributes to be entered. The method also includes receiving an input regarding a desired attribute to be considered in a network process, and selecting one of the templates for configuring the network component based on the received input, wherein the act of selecting is performed automatically using a processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air purification. The present invention provides a system for reducing carbon dioxide concentration in air in locations with sub-tropical to temperate climates and method of reducing carbon dioxide concentration using the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a herbal composition and method of preparing thereof. The herbal composition comprising extracts of Carthami Flos (CF), Dipsaci Radix (DR), Notoginseng Rhizoma (NR) and Rhei Rhizoma (RR). The present invention also relates to an oil-in-water or water-in-oil type nano-emulsion and method of preparing thereof. The nano-emulsion comprises an aqueous phase, an organic phase and a surfactant, wherein said aqueous phase comprises hydrophilic extract of herbal materials and said organic phase comprises hydrophobic extract of said herbal materials. The present invention also relates to a transdermal patch comprises said nano-emulsion. The herbal composition of the present invention is useful in treating traumatic injuries, in particular bone injuries. The present nano-emulsion and patch thereof can promote skin absorption of active ingredients in herb, thereby increasing the herb's bioavailability and efficacy in therapy.

Abstract: An integrated recovery process for rare earth recovery includes bringing the acid solution containing rare earth elements into contact with an organic phase containing an extraction agent to extract the rare earth elements into the organic phase. The organic phase is separated from the aqueous phase. The rare earth elements are either collected from the aqueous phase of the extraction process or the rare earth elements are stripped from the organic phase to an aqueous solution. Rare earth powders are collected from the aqueous solution by partly removing the aqueous solvent. Alternatively, the aqueous solvent can be completely removed, the collected rare earth powders are dissolved in an acidic solution, and the mixture is equilibrated for crystallization of the target rare earth element. In both cases, the crystals and a mother liquor are separated by solid/liquid separation.