Abstract: A composition for topical administration to an epithelium is disclosed. The composition comprises a deconstructed matrisome including one or more enzymatically fragmented peptides derived from biological tissue. The composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable or cosmetically acceptable excipients. The deconstructed matrisome may be fragmented through degradation by one or more enzymes to produce the one or more peptides. The one or more peptides may be configured to retain cell signaling ability, thereby promoting one or more of tissue homeostasis, tissue repair, and tissue regeneration. The composition may be used to treat a tissue such as skin tissue exhibiting scarring, acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

Abstract: A system for automated collection of Raman spectra from ex-vivo tissue samples is provided. The system may comprise a cartesian robot that moves a detachable Raman probe to points on the ex-vivo tissue sample that have been predetermined through a 3D image of the sample. Accordingly, methods of rapid acquisition of multiple Raman spectra from a heterogeneous tissue sample are provided. The inventive methods consider variable contours of the sample to provide Raman spectra from multiple points while generating optimal coverage of the sample. The inventive methods include cleaning the Raman probe between acquisitions of Raman spectra from the multiple points.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving particulate sampling. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a flow direction structure, a flow sampler and a particle collector having a collecting surface. The flow direction structure has interior sidewalls that direct the flow of particulate-laden gas along a flow path. The flow sampler is located in the flow path within the interior sidewalls, and operates with the flow direction structure to sample a portion of the particulate-laden gas at a reduced velocity, while allowing another portion of the particulate-laden gas to exhaust around the flow sampler. The flow sampler operates with the particle collector to direct the sampled portion of the particulate-laden gas to the collecting surface, and to adhere particulates from the particulate-laden gas to the collecting surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving particulate sampling. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a flow direction structure, a flow sampler and a particle collector having a collecting surface. The flow direction structure has interior sidewalls that direct the flow of particulate-laden gas along a flow path. The flow sampler is located in the flow path within the interior sidewalls, and operates with the flow direction structure to sample a portion of the particulate-laden gas at a reduced velocity, while allowing another portion of the particulate-laden gas to exhaust around the flow sampler. The flow sampler operates with the particle collector to direct the sampled portion of the particulate-laden gas to the collecting surface, and to adhere particulates from the particulate-laden gas to the collecting surface.

Abstract: A temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature-indicating signal with improved accuracy over a wide temperature range is disclosed. The temperature sensor includes a first oscillator configured to generate a first oscillating signal with a first frequency that varies with a sensed temperature and a reference parameter; a second oscillator configured to generate a second oscillating signal with a second frequency that varies with the reference parameter; and a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configured to generate a digital output indicative of the sensed temperature based on a ratio of the first frequency to the second frequency. Because the first and second frequencies depend on the reference parameter, and the temperature-indicating signal is a function of the ratio of the first and second frequencies, temperature-variation in the reference parameter cancels out in the temperature-indicating signal.

Abstract: A temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature-indicating signal with improved accuracy over a wide temperature range is disclosed. The temperature sensor includes a first oscillator configured to generate a first oscillating signal with a first frequency that varies with a sensed temperature and a reference parameter; a second oscillator configured to generate a second oscillating signal with a second frequency that varies with the reference parameter; and a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configured to generate a digital output indicative of the sensed temperature based on a ratio of the first frequency to the second frequency. Because the first and second frequencies depend on the reference parameter, and the temperature-indicating signal is a function of the ratio of the first and second frequencies, temperature-variation in the reference parameter cancels out in the temperature-indicating signal.

Abstract: A system and method for focus-stacking images that results in a clearer image, particularly where objects in the image are at different depths of field. The system and method may be used in connection with, or made a part of, an imaging system, including a telescope, camera, binoculars or other imaging system. The system and method incorporate one or more focus-altering devices that alter the focus of an image produced by the imaging system. The system and method also incorporate a modulation device that modulates between two or focal planes, thereby resulting in a focus-stacked image that is a combination of two or more focal planes.

Abstract: A control center is provided that enables the monitoring of the delivery of parts and/or technicians to a customer's location to correct a problem. The control center is provided with a monitoring tool that enables representatives of one or more organizations to act, in a coordinated fashion, to solve the problem encountered by the customer. The monitoring tool is provided with communications facilities that enable the representatives to acquire and maintain contact with one another and/or with the customer. Real-time data analysis is provided to the monitoring tool for display to the representatives. The real-time data can be used to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, and to ensure the quality of services provided to the customer. Moreover, the control center, because of its communications and real-time data synthesis capabilities, enables a different approach to solving customer problems by organizing resources in a different and more streamlined manner.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that enable a seller of equipment to dispatch service personnel and parts to a remote location while taking into account geographic-specific conditions. The geographic-specific conditions can include, for example, inclement weather, planned activities and unplanned events that affect traffic to/from the remote location. The system includes, among other things, telecommunication facilities that link sellers, purchasers and third party service vendors. The system may also include data repository facilities to persist data that is received from external sources, generated from within, or sent outside the system. Persistent and/or transient data can be correlated with geographic-related externalities in order to modify the dispatch activities in order to meet ongoing commitments.

Abstract: An optoelectronic switch for switching an input signal comprises two PIN des connected in series with opposed polarity, an input signal choke connected to the PIN diodes for presenting a high impedance to the input signal and a low impedance to a PIN diode bias, and a photovoltaic cell connected to the PIN diodes and the input signal choke for generating the PIN diode bias to switch the PIN diodes between a substantially conductive state while the photovoltaic cell receives optical energy from a light source and a substantially non-conductive state while the photovoltaic cell does not receive optical energy from the light source.

Abstract: The optoelectronic switch of the present invention comprises two PIN diodes onnected in series with opposed polarity having their intrinsic regions coupled to a light source for maintaining both diodes in the conductive state while the light source is on and in the non-conductive state while the light source is off.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a self-aligned, gate diffused junction field eff transistor is provided which includes the steps of forming an n-type layer on an indium phosphide, semi-insulating substrate; forming spaced apart source/drain metal contacts on the n-type layer; forming a metal gate on the n-type layer between the spaced apart source/drain contacts, where the metal gate is insulated from the source/drain contacts and includes a metallic p-type dopant material; and forming a p-type region in the n-type layer beneath the metal gate so that the gate contact and the p-type region have coincident boundaries with respect to each other at the surface of the n-type layer. The method may also be employed to manufacture a bipolar transistor by allowing the self-aligned and diffused p-type region to extend through the n-type layer to the semi-insulating substrate.

Abstract: A high transconductance, low capacitance, low leakage compound semiconduc junction field effect transistor (JFET) enhances the low leakage current while having the advantages of a self-aligned JFET including low capacitance and low source-drain resistance. The diffused junction of the JFET is totally covered during the process of manufacture. An n channel on a substrate has a layer of photoresist placed over it and exposed to leave a predefined pattern of photoresist. The patterned photoresist is used as a mask so that part of the n-channel layer is etched down to a desired depth leaving a wedge-shaped region. A layer of insulator, such as silicon dioxide, is deposited over the entire substrate and sides of the w edge-shaped region in insulator regions. Next, the photoresist is then removed. A p.sup.+ diffusion or implant is performed in the wedge-shaped region to create a p.sup.+ n-junction system which is the gate region of the JFET. The p.sup.

Abstract: A quasi 1-dimensional electron gas transistor has been provided having a source electrode and a drain electrode. A plurality of electrodes are positioned between the source and drain electrodes in a manner which are parallel to the electron flow between the source and the drain electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrodes are interconnected by a gate electrode while in an alternate embodiment all the electrodes are connected to the source electrode and insulated from the gate electrode. This device provides a quantum wire for quasi 1-dimensional electron flow.

Abstract: A field effect transistor comprises a diamond substrate which has a p-type ion implanted region coterminous with a surface of the diamond substrate, wherein the ion implanted region has a hole concentration in the range of 1.times.10.sup.15 to 1.times.10.sup.17 holes/cm.sup.2, and a hole mobility equal to or greater than 1 cm.sup.2 /V-sec; spaced apart source and drain electrodes formed over the p-type ion implanted region on the surface of the diamond substrate; an electrically insulating material formed over the p-type ion implanted region on the surface of the diamond substrate between the source and drain electrodes; and a gate electrode formed on the surface of the insulating material.