Abstract: Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.

Abstract: A frit for use in multi-layer microfluidic separation devices is provided. The frit comprises a polymeric membrane that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. A secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deletion and substitution mutant polypeptides of human chemokine &bgr;-7 (Ck&bgr;-7), as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides and processes for producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In one aspect, the invention also relates to uses of the full-length and mature forms of Ck&bgr;-7, as well as deletion and substitution mutants, in medical treatment regimens. In particular, the Ck&bgr;-7 polypeptides described herein may be employed to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, respiratory diseases, allergy, and IgE-mediated allergic reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring the mass of a test specimen located in a microgravity environment. The test specimen is attached to the free end of a cantilevered spring for joint vibration. The natural frequency of vibration of the spring and specimen are measured. The spring constant is calculated and compared with known masses having the same frequency and spring constant. When a match is found, the mass of the test specimen is known.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface.

Abstract: A multiple output voltage power supply comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. The primary winding is adapted to have an input voltage coupled thereto. A primary side switch is coupled to the primary winding and is adapted to control power applied to the transformer in a power cycle responsive to a peak current mode control signal. A plurality of output circuits are coupled to respective ones of the plurality of secondary windings and provide respective output voltages. The plurality of output circuits each further comprises a forward rectifier adapted to rectify power during a positive portion of the power cycle and a free-wheeling rectifier adapted to rectify power during a negative portion of the power cycle. One of the plurality of output circuits further comprises a bypass switch adapted to interrupt operation of the respective forward rectifier. A secondary side post regulation circuit controls operation of the bypass switch.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for splitting an established fluidic flow through a microfluidic channel among multiple downstream microfluidic channels include a plurality of elevated flow resistance regions to promote precise and predictable splitting. Each elevated resistance region imparts a flow resistance that is substantially greater than the characteristic resistance to established flow of its associated downstream channel. Elevated flow resistance regions may include one or more porous materials and/or alterations to the channel geometry of at least a portion of a downstream channel.

Abstract: The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles, modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies attached to the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles, modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies attached to the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deletion and substitution mutant polypeptides of human chemokine &bgr;-7 (Ck&bgr;-7), as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides and processes for producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In one aspect, the invention also relates to uses of the full-length and mature forms of Ck&bgr;-7, as well as deletion and substitution mutants, in medical treatment regimens. In particular, the Ck&bgr;-7 polypeptides described herein may be employed to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, respiratory diseases, allergy, and IgE-mediated allergic reactions.

Abstract: A microfluidic reactor for performing chemical and biological synthesis reactions, including chemical and biological syntheses of organic, polymer, inorganic, oligonucleotide, peptide, protein, bacteria, and enzymatic products is provided. Two fluids are input into the device, mixed in a mixing region and provided to a long, composite reaction channel. Fluids flowing through the reaction channel may be diverted at a diversion region into a sample channel. Fluids in the sample channel may be mixed at a second region, with additional reagents.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for splitting an established fluidic flow through a microfluidic channel among multiple downstream microfluidic channels include a plurality of elevated flow resistance regions to promote precise and predictable splitting. Each elevated resistance region imparts a flow resistance that is substantially greater than the characteristic resistance to established flow of its associated downstream channel. Elevated flow resistance regions may include one or more porous materials and/or alterations to the channel geometry of at least a portion of a downstream channel.

Abstract: A ball grid technology circuit assembly for mounting and connecting a ball grid array circuit package having a grid array of ball pads to a printed circuit board and providing enhanced connections for testing of the ball grid array circuits. The printed circuit board includes a via array of vias wherein each via extends from the upper face of the printed circuit board to a lower face of the printed circuit board and is co-located with a ball pad of the ball grid array to provide a path between the ball pad and the lower end of the via to provide electrical access to the corresponding ball pad. A probe array includes a pin array of probe pins wherein each probe pin is co-located with a via of the via array to provide electrical contact with a ball pad of the ball grid array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that process a front-end editable text file—a feature file—that specifies features for a font, and in particular to an OpenType™ font. The specified features are parsed and stored in the font as font data. The feature file contains simple logic statements for the specification of various typographical features, such as layout features, expressed in a high-level feature definition language. The feature file may contain override values for fields in font tables. The feature file can be processed in combination with an existing font file to establish an enhanced font file.

Abstract: An image handling system configured to provide configurable user preferences is disclosed herein. The image handling system includes an imaging device, an image manager, and an image workstation. The system is configured to permit a user of the image workstation to specify user preferences of a graphical user interface (GUI). The user preferences are stored in the image manager such that subsequent access to the image workstation using a user identifier causes the image workstation to automatically retrieve and configure the user preferences on that image workstation.

Abstract: A search engine that forms a compact representation of a plurality of user queries to efficiently find desired information in an information network. The search engine comprises a profile processor having logic to receive the queries from the users and a search module. The search module is coupled to the profile processor and has logic to receive the information content, to combine the user queries into a master query, and to match the master query with the information content to determine matching content. The search engine also includes logic to analyze the matching content to determine if any of the queries has been satisfied.

Abstract: A forward converter circuit has substantially reduced switching losses to provide greater efficiency than the aforementioned conventional circuit. A first switch is coupled to a primary winding of a transformer and adapted to selectively couple a bus voltage terminal to a first terminal of the primary winding. A second switch is coupled to the transformer and adapted to selectively couple a second terminal of the primary winding to ground. The first and second switches are triggered in response to a first periodic gate control signal. A diode is coupled between the bus voltage terminal and the second terminal of the primary winding of the transformer. A third switch is coupled to the transformer and adapted to selectively couple the first terminal of the primary winding of the transformer to ground. The third switch is triggered in response to a second periodic gate control signal. The second periodic gate control signal is substantially inverted with respect to the first periodic gate control signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a formulation comprising a lipid-regulating agent dissolved or dispersed in at least one oil and an emulsifier or emulsifier blend, the resulting mixture being capable of forming an emulsion upon dilution in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A composition for the stripping of photoresist and the cleaning of residues from substrates, and for silicon oxide etch, comprising from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of one or more fluoride compounds, from about 10 percent by weight to about 95% by weight of a sulfoxide or sulfone solvent, and from about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight water. The composition may contain corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, co-solvents, basic amine compounds, surfactants, acids and bases.

Abstract: A power converter has a self-driven synchronous rectification circuit that can operate efficiently with a non-optimal reset secondary voltage waveform that remains at a zero voltage level during a portion of the switching cycle. The power converter circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, in which primary winding is supplied with a non-optimal reset waveform that remains at a zero voltage level for a portion of a power cycle thereof. A first synchronous rectifier is connected in series with the first end of the secondary winding and is controlled by a voltage at the second end of the secondary winding. A second synchronous rectifier is connected in series with the second end of the secondary winding, and is further connected to an output terminal of the power converter circuit through a storage choke. A saturable reactor is connected in series between the first synchronous rectifier and the first end of the secondary winding.