Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-function interface card. The multi-function interface card comprises a central processor mounted on a PCB (printed circuits board). A communication module is coupled to the central processor. An arbitrator is coupled to the central processor. An interface is coupled to the arbitrator to act as I/O for exchanging signal between the multi-function interface card and an external device. A plurality of switches are included, wherein each one of the plurality of switches is coupled to the arbitrator respectively. A plurality of controllers are included, wherein each one of the plurality of controllers is coupled to corresponding one of the plurality of switches respectively. The arbitrator is capable of recognizing a configuration access from an input signal received by the arbitrator and to determine which one switch of the plurality of switches is turned off thereby allowing the corresponding function controller to respond to the data access.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions containing a common ligand linked to a detectable moiety and provides methods for the preparation of such compositions. The present invention also provides methods for screening candidate ligands for binding to a NAD binding receptor, which include contacting a receptor with a candidate ligand and a composition of the invention followed by evaluation of receptor binding. The screening method of the present invention has broad applicability and can be used to screen large numbers of a wide variety of ligands. The present invention further provides methods for detecting the binding activity of a putative receptor, which include combining the putative receptor with a composition of the invention and evaluating the level of detectable moiety. The invention also provides kits useful for detection of receptors having NAD binding activity and for screening of candidate ligands that bind to a NAD binding receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides common ligand mimics that act as common ligands for a receptor family. The present invention also provides bi-ligands containing these common ligand mimics. Bi-ligands of the invention provide enhanced affinity and/or selectivity of ligand binding to a receptor or receptor family through the synergistic action of the common ligand mimic and specificity ligand which compose the bi-ligand. The present invention also provides combinatorial libraries containing the common ligand mimics and bi-ligands of the invention. Further, the present invention provides methods for manufacturing the common ligand mimics and bi-ligands of the invention and methods for assaying the combinatorial libraries of the invention.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a preferred disposition for a moveable first mirror of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror thereof, the method comprising the steps of determining approximate geometric coordinates of the first mirror relative to the second mirror, effecting a laser light crossconnection between the first and second mirrors to produce data from which to provide first order corrections to refine the geometric coordinates, and effecting a further laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and a third mirror, to produce data from which to provide second order corrections to further refine the geometric coordinates, whereby to calibrate the first mirror such that upon initiation of a laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror, a switching element detects deviation of the first mirror from the preferred disposition thereof and effects corrective changes.

Abstract: An optical chromatic dispersion compensator (60) betters optical communication system performance. The dispersion compensator (60) includes a collimating means (61) that receives a spatially diverging beam of light from an end of an optical fiber (30). The collimating means (61) converts the spatially diverging beam into a mainly collimated beam that is emitted therefrom. An optical phaser (62) receives the mainly collimated beam from the collimating means (61) through an entrance window (63), and angularly disperses the beam in a banded pattern that is emitted from the optical phaser (61). A light-returning means (66) receives the angularly dispersed light and reflects it back through the optical phaser (62) to exit the optical phaser near the entrance window (63) thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides common ligand mimics that act as common ligands for a receptor family. The present invention also provides bi-ligands containing these common ligand mimics. Bi-ligands of the invention provide enhanced affinity and/or selectivity of ligand binding to a receptor or receptor family through the synergistic action of the common ligand mimic and specificity ligand which compose the bi-ligand. The present invention also provides combinatorial libraries containing the common ligand mimics and bi-ligands of the invention. Further, the present invention provides methods for manufacturing the common ligand mimics and bi-ligands of the invention and methods for assaying the combinatorial libraries of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions containing a common ligand linked to a detectable moiety and provides methods for the preparation of such compositions. The present invention also provides methods for screening candidate ligands for binding to a NAD binding receptor, which include contacting a receptor with a candidate ligand and a composition of the invention followed by evaluation of receptor binding. The screening method of the present invention has broad applicability and can be used to screen large numbers of a wide variety of ligands. The present invention further provides methods for detecting the binding activity of a putative receptor, which include combining the putative receptor with a composition of the invention and evaluating the level of detectable moiety. The invention also provides kits useful for detection of receptors having NAD binding activity and for screening of candidate ligands that bind to a NAD binding receptor.

Abstract: A combination card capable of being assembled into a toy includes a plurality of symmetrical projecting members and recessed grooves provided at proper locations around each of four circumferential edges to engage with those of any other combination card. The combination card has further an insert slot respectively bored at four corners for engaging any other combination card to make up a 3D structure for a toy. The feature is that a plurality of toy assembling members are made by punching in the center portion of each combination card of each combination card to be assembled together with other corresponding toy assembling members. Thus, the combination cards can be assembled with varied modes, and the toy assembling members can be detached from the combination cards and assembled into a 3D structure, having effects of intelligence stimulation and amusement .

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for correcting one or more error characters in results of speech recognition, the method comprising the steps of: marking the one or more error characters in the speech recognition results; inputting one or more correct characters corresponding to the one or more marked error characters by input based on character-shape; recognizing the input based on character-shape; displaying one or more candidate characters; selecting one or more desired characters from the one or more candidate characters in accordance with the user; and replacing the one or more error characters with the one or more selected characters; the method characterized by further comprising the step of filtering the one or more candidate characters in accordance with acoustic information associated with the one or more error characters.