Abstract: An array antenna comprises a first substrate comprising a first plurality of ceramic layers; a second substrate comprising a second plurality of ceramic layers; a bottom ground plane stacked on the bottom of the second ceramic substrate; a plurality of quasi-cavity-backed patch antennas mounted on a top surface the first substrate, each of the patch antennas including a radiating element and two grounded grid-like conductor walls; and a mixed feeding network coupled to each of the patch antennas. The array antenna working at mm-wave frequency band can provide high radiation efficiency and low loss from feeding network by using quasi-cavity-backed patch elements and a mixed feeding network configuration.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a structure that defines at least a transition interior, the structure including electrically-conductive materials, the structure defining first and second openings to the transition interior, the first opening configured to be open toward a first interior, of a first waveguide, which is a laminated waveguide, and the second opening configured to be open toward a second interior, of a second waveguide, the second interior being defined by an electrically-conductive structure of the second waveguide, whereby an electromagnetic wave is capable of being propagated via the transition interior, from one of the first and second interiors to the other of the first and second interiors, wherein content of the first interior has a dielectric constant that differs from a dielectric constant of content of the second interior, and the second waveguide is not laminated on the substrate on which the first waveguide is laminated.

Abstract: Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in either individual or multiple biological cells or biological tissue by monitoring the electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to voltage in the electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of electroporation in the biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the voltage to assure that electroporation has occurred without destroying the cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general. In addition, a particular method and apparatus are disclosed in which electroporation and/or mass transfer across a cell membrane are accomplished by securing a cell across an opening in a barrier between two chambers such that the cell closes the opening. The barrier is either electrically insulating, impermeable to the solute, or both, depending on whether pore formation, diffusive transport of the solute across the membrane, or both are sought.

Abstract: Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in individual and multiple biological cells present in biological tissue by monitoring the electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to voltage in the electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of electroporation in the biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the voltage to assure that electroporation has occurred without destroying the cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a pair of image data blocks separated by a boundary. The image data blocks include image information defining multiple pixels in at least one image. The method also includes identifying at least one filter length based on edge contents of at least some of the pixels in the at least one image. In addition, the method includes filtering at least some of the pixels in the pair of image data blocks along the boundary using the at least one identified filter length.

Abstract: A control system for a variable displacement compressor uses a mechanical valve to minimize energy consumption in an air conditioning system. The control system can also provide instantaneous indications to the vehicle controller of air conditioning power consumption to avoid engine loading. Controls are also used to contain oil within the compressor and to minimize its presence downstream of the compressor into the gas cooler and evaporator parts of the system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the Agrobacterium-mediated germline genetic transformation of soybean. The method is based on Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery to individual cells in a freshly germinated soybean meristem, which cells can be induced directly to form shoots that give rise to transgenic plants. This method does not involve callus-phase tissue culture and is rapid and efficient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the Agrobacterium-mediated germline genetic transformation of soybean. The method is based on Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery to individual cells in a freshly germinated soybean meristem, which cells can be induced directly to form shoots that give rise to transgenic plants. This method does not involve callus-phase tissue culture and is rapid and efficient.

Abstract: A compact inverted-F antenna having a radiator arm formed from portions disposed in two parallel spaced apart planes and connected together electrically to form a folded meander-line topology. The planes may be defined by the surfaces of a dielectric substrate and the radiator arm may be formed from upper and lower conductive traces printed on either side of the dielectric substrate and interconnected serially through filled via holes. The antenna includes a ground plane parallel to and spaced apart from the radiator arm. The ground plane may be a grid conductive wall formed from filled via holes through the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in individual and multiple biological cells present in biological tissue by monitoring the electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to voltage in the electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of electroporation in the biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the voltage to assure that electroporation has occurred without destroying the cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general.

Abstract: The digital camera has an LCD and a print button and can set image capturing modes such as a single frame shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode. In the case where the print button is depressed in a state where the digital camera is set in the single frame shooting mode, after making an error check, the digital camera immediately shifts to a state where a print mode is set. In the print mode, a print setting screen in which settings of a print order can be made on an image recorded on a memory card is displayed on the LCD. As a result, settings of the print order can be made promptly.

Abstract: A dosage form comprises: (a) at least one active ingredient; (b) a core having an outer surface; and (c) a shell which resides upon at least a portion of the core outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the shell is semipermeable, such that the liquid medium diffuses through the semipermeable shell or shell portion to the core due to osmosis. The shell also provides for delivery of the active ingredient to a liquid medium outside the shell after contacting of the dosage form with the liquid medium. The dosage form delivers one or more active ingredients in a controlled manner upon contacting of the dosage form with a liquid medium. The dosage form may be employed to provide a burst release of the active ingredient, or to provide release of the active ingredient at an ascending release rate over an extended time period upon contacting of the dosage form with a liquid medium.

Abstract: A method of determining information about cell viability and other characteristics relating to cell membrane permeability is disclosed. The method involves determining the effect of a cell on current flow and relating that effect to a known standard which standard may be a known healthy cell and thereby deducing the viability of the cell being tested. The cells being tested can be subjected to different environmental conditions such as surrounding chemicals, temperature, pH and pressure to determine the effects of such conditions on cell viability and/or cell permeability. The cell being tested can be in a cell suspension, grown on s ubstarte, in tissue in vitro or in tissue in vivo. The method provides substantially instantaneous results and need not include the use of dyes or other markers.

Abstract: In biology and biotechnology, electroporation is an important technique for introducing entities (DNA, RNAi, peptides, proteins, antibodies, genes, small molecules, nanoparticles, etc.) into cells. Applications range widely from genetic engineering to regenerative medicine to drug delivery. It has been demonstrated that the electrical currents flowing through cells can be used to monitor and control the process of electroporation for biological and artificial cells. In this application, a device and system are disclosed which allow precise monitoring and controlling electroporation of cells and cell layers, with examples shown using adherent cells grown on porous membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera capable of excellently recording a print order file on a recording medium and normally performing a print setting operation even in the case where a recording medium is replaced during the print setting operation. In a digital camera for recording a captured image on a removable recording medium, each time a print setting is made on an image recorded in a memory card by an operation for an operating member, a print order file to be recorded on the memory card is updated. At the time of displaying the total number of prints and a charge for printing on an LCD, the print order file recorded on the memory card is read and, on the basis of the information recorded in the print order file, the total number of prints and the charge for printing are displayed.

Abstract: In the printing system, an image captured by a digital camera is recorded in a memory card, and is transmitted to a printer through the memory card. The printer prints the captured image in the inserted memory card. The number of prints of the captured image is set by a predetermined operation in the digital camera. This setting information is stored in the memory card, and the printer prints on the basis of the set information. In the case of trial use at a shop counter, a memory card for trial use is used. The printer is set to a “trial use mode” when the inserted memory card is for trial use, and limits the actual number of prints of the captured image to two or less. As a result, mass printing by trial use can be prevented, and the printing system can give easy trial use to customers.

Abstract: A DSL network testing tool (110) tests multiple elements (141, 143) in a DSL circuit. The testing tool may operate in either a single circuit test mode or a batch mode. In batch test mode, the network testing tool receives multiple DSL phone numbers and automatically tests the DSL circuit's elements corresponding to the phone numbers. The test information may be used when troubleshooting or provisioning DSL circuits.

Abstract: A method of colour saturation compensation in a video signal is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: processing a luminance signal component of the video signal; determining whether the processing of the luminance signal results in a change in chrominance saturation; if the step of determining reveals that the chrominance saturation has changed, applying a chrominance compensation signal to the chrominance signals to counteract the effects of chrominance saturation, wherein said step of applying a compensation signal include the steps of: generating a compensation signal which is dependent on hue and luminance ratio (output luminance signal/input luminance signal). Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for cooling a vehicle passenger compartment is disclosed. The system includes an air duct, a refrigerant circuit, a variable displacement compressor, and a controller. The air duct directs air conditioned air into the vehicle passenger compartment. The refrigerant circuit circulates a refrigerant, wherein a first portion of the circuit is exposed to the air duct and a second portion of the circuit is exposed to air external of the vehicle passenger compartment. The variable displacement compressor is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, wherein the compressor has a control valve for regulating refrigerant flow between a compressor crankcase and a compressor discharge chamber and between the compressor crankcase and a compressor suction chamber. The controller in electrical communication with the variable displacement compressor for controlling refrigerant flow and a displacement of the compressor by actuating the control valves.

Abstract: A method for estimating the input power to a cable modem includes generating a look-up table containing AGC integrator accumulator values corresponding to selected frequencies and amplitudes. The look-up table is generated by first constructing a calibration matrix by inputting a plurality of calibration signals having known input frequencies and known input power levels into the cable modem's receiver, and recording AGC integrator accumulator values corresponding to several frequencies and power levels over a selected operating range as calibration points. Next, an interpolation and extrapolation process generates the look-up values corresponding to the frequencies and amplitudes in between the calibration points. During modem operation, the modem estimates the input power by checking the AGC integrator accumulator value corresponding to the input frequency and amplitude.