Abstract: The present invention relates to G-CSF polypeptides and their uses, particularly for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment in human subjects. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides, vectors comprising such nucleic acids and recombinant cells containing the same. The invention further discloses methods of producing such polypeptides, as well as methods and tools for detecting or dosing these polypeptides in any sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to G-CSF polypeptides and their uses, particularly for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment in human subjects. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides, vectors comprising such nucleic acids and recombinant cells containing the same. The invention further discloses methods of producing such polypeptides, as well as methods and tools for detecting or dosing these polypeptides in any sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses peptides isolated from the extracellular domain of OX40 Ligand (OX40L) capable of binding OX40 Receptor (OX40R) and inhibiting OX40R-OX40L interaction. Such peptides, fusion proteins comprising them, as well as peptides and other molecules designed on their sequences, can be used as OX40R binding agents competing with natural OX40L for blocking OX40R-mediated cell signaling in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases related to activated T cells.

Abstract: An automatic exposure (AE) controlling device and method are provided. According to the method, an electric shutter (ES) value and an analog gain control (AGC) value can be calculated through a proportional integral control method according to a brightness value of an inputted image frame. Then, AE compensation on a present image frame can be performed using the calculated ES value and AGC value.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for controlling a lamp driving, and a light unit. The apparatus comprises a trans-portion, a plurality of lamps, a first cable, and a current attenuator. The trans-portion outputs a first AC power and a second AC power. The plurality of lamps are lighted-on by the first and second AC powers. The first cable and a second cable transfer an output power from the transformer to both ends of the lamps. The current attenuator removes a deviation in currents input to both ends of the lamps.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds or hypochlorous acid probes which can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening, directly or indirectly, hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the amount of hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Specifically, the methods include the steps of contacting the hypochlorous acid probes disclosed herein with the samples to form one or more fluorescent compounds, and measuring fluorescence properties of the fluorescent compounds. Provided also herein are high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting or screening hypochlorous acid or compounds that can increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the level of hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite in chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: Compounds of formula [1] are CRTH2 antagonists, useful in the treatment of conditions having an inflammatory components; in which: R1-R9 are various substituents; A is —CHR10—, —C(O)—, —S(O)n—, —O—, or —NR10— wherein n is an integer from 0-1 and R10 is selected from various substituents; B is a direct bond or a divalent radical; R11 and R12 are selected from cvarious substituents; X is a carboxylic acid, tetrazole, 3-hydroxyisoxazole, hydroxamic acid, phosphinate, phosphonate, phosphonamide, sulfonic acid group, or a group of formula C?(O)NHSO2R6 or SO2NHC(?O)R6; and Y is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-fused-heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl-fused-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl-fused-heterocycloalkyl or aryl-fused-cycloalkyl group.

Abstract: An image sensor and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels disposed in an active region and dummy pixels disposed in a peripheral region. An interlayer dielectric layer has a first thickness in the active region and a second thickness thinner than the first thickness in the peripheral region. Color filters are disposed in the active region, and a light blocking member is disposed in the peripheral region. There is substantially no step difference between the color filters and the light blocking member.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stabilized bulk solution of a monomeric protein is described, which consists in providing a bulk of monomeric protein in a buffer solution and adding an excipient to the bulk, wherein the excipient is selected from the group consisting of bacteriostatic agents, surfactants, isotonicity agents, amino acids, antioxidants and combinations thereof. Prefereably the monomeric protein is IFN-beta.

Abstract: A method of preparing periodic, semi-periodic, or semi-random polyethylene-co-acrylic acid or polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid involves polymerizing 1-alkoxyalkyl ester substituted ?,?-dienes, and/or 1-alkoxyalkyl ester substituted cycloalkenes via olefin metathesis reactions followed by hydrogenation of the alkylene units and subsequently hydrolyzed to the desired polyethylene-co-acrylic acid or polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid. The polyethylene-co-acrylic acid or polyethylene-co-methacrylic acid can then be converted to ionomers by exchange with a monomeric carboxylate salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a submarine that is capable of surface operation with its passenger compartment completely or predominately above the waterline. The vessel is capable of high-speed, long-range surface navigation and seakeeping.

Abstract: The subject invention provides dipeptides useful in promoting healthy muscle tissues as well as effective immune responses. The dipeptides of the subject invention are particularly advantageous because they are stable, bioavailable, and can be formulated in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A flash memory device and a method of manufacturing a flash memory device are provided. The flash memory device includes a gate region on a semiconductor substrate, spacers on sidewalls of the gate region, and a passivation layer between the semiconductor substrate and a portion of each spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for improving the administration and usage of antibiotic/antimicrobial regimens. The method and system of the invention includes (a) establishing a multidisciplinary antimicrobial treatment team; (b) obtaining patient data; (c) reviewing patient data for sub-optimal antibiotic regimens and when necessary, conferring if MATT members regarding regimen recommendations; (d) generating reports with recommendations for optimal antibiotic regimens based on the review of the patient data.

Abstract: Method of identifying a modulator of CD28 comprising comparing a structural model of a candidate modulator with a structural model of CD28 to thereby determine whether the modulator will bind to CD28, wherein the structural model is derived from, or comprises, structural coordinates of a crystal of: (i) CD28, (ii) a fragment of CD28, or (iii) a homologue of (i) or (ii). The crystal of CD28 in a soluble form complexed with the Fab fragment of a mitogenic (superagonistic) antibody has been obtained and used for the determination of the 3D-structure of the receptor. The application also relates to modulators of superagonistic signalling for any receptor of the CD28 family, i.e. to superagonistic antibodies and chimeric proteins thereof, and to the screening of the superagonistic modulators. In the methods of screening, the binding of the candidate modulators to a portion of the receptor proximal to the cell membrane is investigated.

Abstract: Ultralyophobe interfaces that are substantially inert to contaminants, thereby resulting in surfaces that are hydrophobic and/or lyophobic. The substrates include a substrate surface and have a bonding layer and a plurality of flexible fibers bound to the bonding layer. The flexible fibers have an elastic modulus and an aspect ratio, wherein as the elastic modulus of the fiber increases, the aspect ratio increases such that the flexible fibers bend upon contact of a liquid surface.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. Compositions of the subject invention comprise one or more chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)-degrading enzymes that promote axonal penetration into damaged nerve tissue. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods. The invention also pertains to kits for nerve repair.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided including a transistor element on a substrate, a silicide on a gate and a source/drain of the transistor element; and an amorphous capping layer on the silicide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes device isolating layers having a top surface lower than a sheet height of a semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode sequentially stacked on the upper surface of an active region of the semiconductor substrate between the device isolating layers; a spacer formed at the side wall of the gate electrode; a source/drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate between the spacer and the device isolating layers; and a silicide film formed on the source/drain region.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the nucleic acid sequence encoding for the polypeptide of 7a5/Prognostin and to its uses, in particular for the tumour diagnostics and tumour therapy of metastasising tumours.