Abstract: A system comprising one or more transducers and an alcohol production facility having a liquid medium processing stream, the alcohol production facility adapted for use with the one or more transducers is provided. In one embodiment, the one or more transducers apply sonication to the liquid medium processing stream in one or more locations. In one embodiment, the alcohol production facility is an ethanol production facility. In one embodiment, the ethanol production facility utilizes a dry grind process, modified dry grind process or wet mill process. The systems of the present invention utilize sonication at the frequencies and intensities required on an industrial scale to reduce the production cost of alcohol, such as ethanol, by improving alcohol yield per bushel, reducing processing times for higher throughput, reducing operating costs, and increasing the marketability of co-products, among other benefits.

Abstract: A polymerase activity is effectively enhanced by adding an anionic surfactant, in particular an anionic surfactant having a polyethoxyl group, to a reaction mixture containing a polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant bovine parainfluenza virus (bPIV) cDNA or RNA which may be used to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cell systems and/or to rescue negative strand RNA recombinant viruses that express, package, and/or present the heterologous gene product. In particular, the heterologous gene products include gene product of another species of PIV or from another negative strand RNA virus, including but not limited to, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and avian pneumovirus. The chimeric viruses and expression products may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations including vaccines against a broad range of pathogens and antigens.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding recombinant genomes or antigenomes of Human Parainfluenza Viruses that are useful as vaccines. The recombinant genomes or antigenomes can be incorporated into expression vectors for production of recombinant viruses in vitro. The invention also provides recombinant Human Parainfluenza viruses having one or more mutations that attenuate replication of the virus in a host.

Abstract: A culture medium for filamentary fungi comprising at least one carbon source chosen from the group consisting of molasses, malt extract and sucrose a nd at least one organic nitrogen source chosen from yeast extract and corn steep liquor is described; a method for producing filamentary fungi, in particular nematophagus fungi on an industrial scale, comprising the step of seeding conidia of such fungi in the aforementioned culture medium and maintaining such a culture medium at a temperature of 23-30° C. for a time of 5-10 days to determine the reproduction and growth of the fungi is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing an antiallergic activity of lactic acid bacteria against a high-temperature treatment and a composition for the stabilization, which can maintain an antiallergic activity of lactic acid bacteria against a high-temperature treatment, and foods and drinks such as drinks having a stabilized antiallergic activity of lactic acid bacteria, and a method for producing the same. The antiallergic activity of lactic acid bacteria can be maintained stably by making the lactic acid bacteria and polyphenols coexist, even when high-temperature treatments are conducted. As polyphenols used in the present invention, polyphenols extracted from a plant such as green tea-derived polyphenols can be used. In the present invention, various lactic acid bacteria having an antiallergic activity can be used, and in particular, lactic acid bacteria having a high antiallergic activity can be advantageously used as such lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the growing of microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and bacteria are described. Seed fermentation units are associated with final fermentation ponds in various arrangements. Continuous, semicontinuous, fed batch, and batch modes of operation of the seed and final fermentations are included. Harvest methods for the cellular material and related products are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biotrickling filter systems and the packing material employed in such systems, as well as, methods of using same to remove odour causing compounds from waste gas streams. The packing material for the biotrickling filter system includes a plurality of expanded glass granules. When used in a biotrickling filter system, the packing material is highly efficient at removing from waste gas streams hydrogen sulfide at high concentrations in low empty bed residence times.

Abstract: A multiple well plate and method for media exchange, including a body defining a plurality of cell wells each connected via a channel to one of a plurality of aspiration holes, is provided. The cell wells contain a porous, hydrophilic frit which is suspended on a ledge above a reservoir of fluid media and supports a tissue sample. The properties of the frit wick the fluid media upwards to supply the tissue sample with nutrients for growth and proliferation. Old media is aspirated from the wells by a liquid handling device which inserts a pipette tip into the aspiration holes. The pipette tip applies a suction pressure which draws the media out of the cell well, through the channel, into the aspiration hole and out through the pipette tip. New media is dispersed through the pipette tip and directly into the cell well.

Abstract: A multiple well plate and method for media exchange, including a body defining a plurality of cell wells each connected via a channel to one of a plurality of aspiration holes, is provided. The cell wells contain a porous, hydrophilic frit which is suspended on a ledge above a reservoir of fluid media and supports a tissue sample. The properties of the frit wick the fluid media upwards to supply the tissue sample with nutrients for growth and proliferation. Old media is aspirated from the wells by a liquid handling device which inserts a pipette tip into the aspiration holes. The pipette tip applies a suction pressure which draws the media out of the cell well, through the channel, into the aspiration hole and out through the pipette tip. New media is dispersed through the pipette tip and directly into the cell well.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention are related to an extrinsically compensated multilayer membrane comprising at least a first layer comprising charged polymers and a second layer comprising neutral polymers, wherein the first layer is characteristic of extrinsic compensation and the charges on the polymer are balanced by mobile counter ions. The embodiments of the invention relate to: i) extrinsically compensated membrane for ion screening; ii) two types of polymers for fabricating the extrinsically compensated membrane; iii) driving force for self-assembly and approaches to create such a driving force between the two polymers, which involve the functionalization of the two types of polymers via functional moieties: donors and acceptors; iv) one or more approaches of synthesis of the two types of polymers; v) the fabrications of extrinsically compensated membrane with the two types of polymers; and vi) the fabrication of functional sensing membranes and the sensors thereof.

Abstract: A multiple well plate and method for media exchange, including a body defining a plurality of cell wells each connected via a channel to one of a plurality of aspiration holes, is provided. The cell wells contain a porous, hydrophilic frit which is suspended on a ledge above a reservoir of fluid media and supports a tissue sample. The properties of the frit wick the fluid media upwards to supply the tissue sample with nutrients for growth and proliferation. Old media is aspirated from the wells by a liquid handling device which inserts a pipette tip into the aspiration holes. The pipette tip applies a suction pressure which draws the media out of the cell well, through the channel, into the aspiration hole and out through the pipette tip. New media is dispersed through the pipette tip and directly into the cell well.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing a conditioned medium of astrocyte-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells, characterized in that astrocyte-like cells, which are prepared by differentiation of embryonic stem cells, are cultured; the medium obtained by said method, the use of the conditioned medium for culturing neural cells as well as for inducing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neural cells.

Abstract: The present invention describes nucleic acid segments, recombinant alphavirus vectors, and recombinant alphavirus particles that include a Sindbis viral vector. The Sindbis viral vector includes a nucleic acid segment encoding a fusion protein comprising a Sindbis virus nonstructural protein and a protein or peptide of interest, wherein the production of the fusion protein does not affect viral replication or infection. The protein or peptide of interest may be a marker, diagnostic, or therapeutic protein or peptide. Methods of using such recombinant alphavirus particles to kill tumor cells is also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving cell-attachment efficiency comprising (a) preparing a protein in aqueous solution, wherein the protein has a formula A-B-C, wherein A represents a GRGDS amino acid sequence; B represents a cellulose binding domain (CBD); and C represents a GRGDS amino acid sequence, an RGD amino acid sequence, or an amino acid sequence of growth factor; (b) coating the protein solution into a carrier; and (c) seeding cells onto the carrier.

Abstract: This invention pertains to nucleic acid fragments encoding plant proteins that are homologs to the cis-prenyltransferases UPP synthase from the bacterium Micrococcus luteus or Dedol-PP synthase from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More specifically, this invention pertains to cis-prenyltransferase homologs from wheat, grape, soybean, rice, African daisy, rubber tree latex and pot marigold.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of reducing the total amount of stored protein, to develop a technique required therefor, and to provide a plant and its seeds developed by the above method and a method of using such a plant and seeds. More specifically, a nucleic acid molecule containing a consecutive nucleic acid sequence of at least 15 in length which is complementary with a nucleic acid sequence encoding prolamine polypeptide or a nucleic acid sequence having a homology of at least about 70% to the complementary nucleic acid sequence having at least 15 nucleotide length. A method of reducing the expression dose of a protein in a seed of a plant which comprises: A) the step of providing the above-described nucleic acid molecule; B) the step of transferring the nucleic acid molecule into the cells of the plant; C) the step of re-differentiating the cells to construct a transgenic plant; and D) the step of obtaining seeds from the transgenic plant.

Abstract: A method of activating the rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) promoter in vivo is disclosed. The RTBV promoter is activated by exposure to at least one protein selected from the group consisting of Rf2a and Rf2b.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic reporters. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a modified gene encoding a luciferase for high level expression in an organism with a bias for cytosine (C) or guanine (G) in the third position of the codon.

Abstract: A method of assaying the antioxidant activity of a range of plant, animal or synthetic oils and other similar substances in a liquid phase. The method consists in forming an oil-in-water emulsion with a surfactant, adding an ethene generator substrate and an oxidative peroxyl radical solution and measuring the ethene produced by a flow tube technique or atmospheric chemical ionisation methodology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyanide detection method using fluorescence and cyanide sensitive boronic acid containing fluorophores, wherein a change in a measured fluorescent property correlates to the concentration of the cyanide compound in a biological or environmental test sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of analyzing plasma from a sample of whole blood comprising a) obtaining a sample of whole blood from a subject in a container, the container comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the container for receiving a sample of whole blood; b) centrifuging the container under conditions to separate the whole blood into a cell layer, a gel layer and a plasma layer wherein the centrifuging produces in relative juxtaposition the first end of the container, the cell layer, the gel layer, the plasma layer and the second end of the container, c) inserting into a spectrophotometric device the second end of the container which comprises the plasma layer in closest relative juxtaposition, to analyze the plasma from the whole blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple screening test for neoplasia, a precancerous condition, or cancer of the breast. A method is described whereby a breast cancer marker is detected in breast fluid. In a particular embodiment, the method involves treating samples of breast fluids with an aldehyde detecting reagent without any prewashing. The appearance in breast fluids of a marker that is detected by an aldehyde detecting reagent, such as a Schiff's reagent, correlates very well with the disease status of the breast cancer subjects from which the fluids were obtained. Screening test kits are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-phase protein separation methods capable of resolving and characterizing large numbers of cellular proteins, including methods for efficiently facilitating the transfer of protein samples between separation phases. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for the differential display of protein samples from multiple cell types. The present invention thus provides improved methods for the analysis of multiple samples containing large numbers of proteins.

Abstract: A method of determining a kind of a sample, in a method for analyzing a substance by the steps of supplying the sample to be analyzed to a reaction system by a supplying means comprising a transparent region composed of a transparent material, reacting a reagent for detecting the substance with the sample in the reaction system, and analyzing a signal derived from a product obtained by the reaction, characterized by irradiating the transparent region with light in the supplying step, and analyzing an optical intensity of the light.

Abstract: The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least one particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of said at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and/or the absence of the biopolymer.

Abstract: Methods and structures for placing nanoscale moieties on substrates are provided.

Abstract: A membrane-based assay device for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The device utilizes a self-calibrated magnetic binding assay format (e.g., sandwich, competitive, etc.) that includes detection probes capable of generating a detection signal (e.g., fluorescent non-magnetic particles) and calibration probes capable of generating a calibration signal (e.g., fluorescent magnetic particles). The amount of the analyte within the test sample is proportional (e.g., directly or inversely) to the intensity of the detection signal calibrated by the intensity of the calibration signal. It has been discovered that the fluidics-based device of the present invention provides an accurate, inexpensive, and readily controllable method of determining the presence of an analyte in a test sample.

Abstract: A nanoparticle having a self assembly monolayer of molecules as a shell on the nanoparticle. The monolayer may include organic molecules working as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) reporters. Also, the core shell may include at least a receptor, and/or the like, to ensure that a target analyte can be bound for measurement with SERS. The target analyte may be organic, chemical, biological, inorganic, gas, liquid, solid, and so forth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for magnetoresistive memories employing magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The apparatus comprises a MTJ (61, 231), first (60, 220) and second (66, 236) electrodes coupled, respectively, to first (62, 232) and second (64, 234) magnetic layers of the MTJ (61, 231), first (54, 204) and second (92, 260) write conductors magnetically coupled to the MTJ (61, 231) and spaced apart from the first (60, 220) and second (66, 236) electrodes, and at least one etch-stop layer (82, 216) located between the first write conductor (54, 204) and the first electrode (60, 220), having an etch rate in a reagent for etching the MTJ (61, 231) and/or the first electrode (60, 220) that is at most 25% of the etch rate of the MTJ (61, 231) and/or first conductor (60, 220) to the same reagent, so as to allow portions of the MTJ (61, 231) and first electrode (60, 220) to be removed without affecting the underlying first write conductor (54, 204).

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device including a semiconductor layer, formed of a silicon-based deposited film containing crystals by plasma-enhanced CVD, includes the steps of applying a bias voltage between a high-frequency electrode and a substrate with the high-frequency electrode being negative when the semiconductor layer is formed; detecting sparks occurring on the high-frequency electrode or the substrate; and controlling at least one condition, selected from the group consisting of high-frequency power, bias voltage, bias current, pressure, gas flow rate, and interelectrode distance, based on the results of the detection so that the number of sparks with durations of 100 ms or more is 1 or less sparks per minute.

Abstract: A method for measuring interface traps in a MOSFET, comprising measuring charge pumping current of a pulse wave form for various frequencies over a predetermined frequency range, creating plotted points of the measured charge pumping current versus the predetermined frequency range, determining the total number of interface traps participating in the charge pumping current by calculating the slope of a best fit line through the plotted points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the evaluation and improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of carbon-nanotube (CNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) arrays grown on a substrate is disclosed. The Young's modulus of a CNT/CNF material is measured by applying an axial compressive force on the CNT/CNF array and measuring the applied forces and the induced displacements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure has an IC chip, at least a functional bump, and at least a dummy bump positioned on a joint surface of the IC chip. A terminal surface of the dummy bump is different in appearance from a terminal surface of the functional bump, which improves an inspection process during production of the IC chip.

Abstract: A technique of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided for reducing the possibility of attachment of foreign matter to a membrane probe when performing probe inspection using the membrane probe formed by the manufacturing technique. A pressing member for pressing a membrane sheet includes a pressing pin receiving portion relatively disposed above for receiving the tip of a pressing pin of the plunger in a recess, and a membrane sheet pressing portion relatively disposed below. The membrane sheet pressing portion in contact with the membrane sheet has the minimum plane size to enable pressing of the entire surface of one chip of interest to be subjected to the probe inspection.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead and a manufacturing method thereof include a substrate on which a space portion is formed, a passage plate installed on the substrate in which an ink chamber is formed to store ink, a nozzle plate installed at a top surface of the passage plate in which a nozzle is formed to eject the ink, and a vibration plate disposed between the substrate and the passage plate to generate a pressure for ejecting the ink by changing a volume of the ink chamber.

Abstract: A process for forming electrical contacts for a semiconductor light emitting apparatus is disclosed. The light emitting apparatus has a first layer of first conductivity type, an active layer for generating light overlying the first layer, and a second layer of second conductivity type overlying the active layer.

Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) assembly including a VCSEL structure having a light-emitting region located on its surface, a relatively wettable region of a surface modifier coating formed over the light emitting region, and a microlens formed on the relatively wettable region. A relatively non-wettable region of the surface modifier coating is formed around the light-emitting region (e.g., on the electrode surrounding the light-emitting region). The surface modifier coating is formed, for example, from one or more organothiols that change the surface energies of the light-emitting region and/or the electrode to facilitate self-assembly and self-registration of the microlens material. The microlens material is printed, microjetted, or dip coated onto the VCSEL structure such that the microlens material wets to the relatively wettable region, thereby forming a liquid bead that is reliably positioned over the light-emitting region. The liquid bead is then cured to form the microlens.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises forming an active pattern and a data line on a substrate, the active pattern including a source, a drain, and a channel regions; a first insulation film on a portion of the substrate; forming a gate electrode in a portion of the active pattern where the first insulation film is formed; a second insulation film on the substrate; forming a plurality of first contact holes exposing a portion of the source and drain regions and a second contact hole exposing a portion of the data line; forming a source electrode from a transparent conductive material connected to a source region within the respective first contact hole and a data line within the second contact hole; and forming a pixel and a drain electrodes from the transparent conductive material connected to a drain region within the respective first contact hole.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate arranged in parallel and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates. In addition, several spacers are disposed on a black matrix of the color filter substrate. These spacers lean on the edge of at least one of the gate layer lines and source layer lines on the thin film transistor array substrate. The invention increases the bonding stability between the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate so that the reliability and display quality of the liquid crystal display panel is improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of a micro electro mechanical system are disclosed.

Abstract: A pinned photodiode with an ultra-shallow highly-doped surface layer of a first conductivity type and a method of formation are disclosed. The ultra-shallow highly-doped surface latter has a thickness of about 100 Angstroms to about 500 Angstroms and a dopant concentration of about 5×1017 atoms per cm3 to about 1×1019 atoms per cm3. The ultra-shallow highly-doped surface layer is formed by diffusion of ions from a doped layer into the substrate or by a plasma doping process. The ultra-shallow pinned layer is in contact with a charge collection region of a second conductivity type.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a substrate with a photo sensing and a transistor regions, a photo diode, a transistor, a dielectric layer, a metal interconnect, a metal conductive line, a conformal passivation layer, a color filter, a lens planar layer, and a microlens. The photo diode is in the substrate within the photo sensing region. The transistor is on the substrate in the transistor region. The dielectric layer is on the substrate. Except the photo sensing region, the metal interconnect and the metal conductive line are respectively located in and on the dielectric layer. The conformal passivation layer is on the dielectric layer and covers the metal conductive line. The color filter is on the conformal passivation layer in the photo sensing region and the bottom thereof is lower than the top of the metal conductive line. The lens planar layer and the microlens are sequentially on precedent structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photodiode array comprising a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of photodiodes formed on the semiconductor substrate; and crystal fused regions losing crystallinity by fusing a semiconductor material of the photodiodes between the plurality of photodiodes.

Abstract: A method for forming a deposited film containing microcrystalline silicon on a moving substrate by plasma-enhanced CVD includes forming a deposited film containing microcrystalline silicon on a moving substrate by plasma-enhanced CVD under conditions such that when a deposited film having a thickness of 300 nm or more is formed on a substrate while the substrate is in a stationary state, an area of the microcrystalline silicon region in which an intensity of Raman scattering attributed to a crystalline substance in the deposited film is equal to or higher than three times an intensity of Raman scattering attributed to an amorphous is 50% or more of the total area based on the area of the microcrystalline silicon region and the area of a region composed of the amorphous.

Abstract: A memory device includes an insulating layer formed over a substrate, a gate formed over the insulating layer, and charge storage elements disposed over the insulating layer. The charge storage elements are separated from each other and are electrically insulated, and each of the charge storage elements is capable of storing at least one charge. The charge storage elements can include fullerenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preparing thin films of semiconductor films for radiation detector and photovoltaic applications. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 layer with substantially uniform Ga distribution. In a particular aspect, the method includes depositing a precursor film on the base, the precursor film including Cu, In and Ga, sulfurizing the precursor film thus forming a sulfurized precursor layer with a substantially uniform Ga distribution, and selenizing the sulfurized precursor layer to reduce the sulfur concentration therein and obtain the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 layer with substantially uniform Ga distribution. In a further aspect, the method also includes the step of selenizing the precursor film.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for coupling semiconductor-based photonic devices to diamond. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for coupling a photonic device with a diamond structure comprises embedding the diamond structure in a first substrate, where the first substrate comprises a first transparent material. The photonic device is formed in a semiconductor material, which is supported by a second substrate. An intermediate structure is formed by depositing a second transparent material over the photonic device. The second transparent material may have substantially the same refractive index as the first transparent material. The intermediate structure is then separated from the second substrate, and the intermediated structure is adhered to the first substrate so that the photonic device optically couples with the diamond structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-diamond devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include depositing a semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, depositing an adynamic diamond layer on the semiconductor layer opposite the semiconductor substrate, and coupling a support substrate to the adynamic diamond layer opposite the semiconductor layer to support the adynamic layer.

Abstract: A linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between two materials, such as between a microelectronic die and a mounting substrate, may induce stress at the interface of the materials. The temperature changes present during the process of attaching a die to a mounting substrate can cause cracking and failure in the electrical connections used to connect the die and mounting substrate. A material with a CTE approximately matching the die CTE is introduced in the mounting substrate to reduce the stress and cracking at the electrical connections between the die and mounting substrate. Additionally, this material may comprise thin film capacitors useful for decoupling power supplies.