Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a process for producing energy through a thermodynamic cycle comprising transforming a first working fluid having at least two components into usable energy and a first exhaust stream; diverting at least a portion of the first exhaust stream to form a diverted first exhaust stream; transferring heat from the diverted first exhaust stream to the first working fluid, thereby partially condensing the diverted first exhaust stream to form a partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream; separating the partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream into a vapor stream and a liquid stream; and transforming the vapor stream into usable energy. The present invention also comprises a system for producing energy through novel implementation of a thermodynamic cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for detecting or measuring Notch activation by observing or measuring the appearance of Notch on the cell surface or by observing or measuring Notch cleavage products that are indicative of Notch activation. The present invention is also directed to methods for detecting a molecule that modulates Notch activation by observing or measuring a change in the amount of Notch expressed on the cell surface or a change in the amount or pattern of Notch cleavage products. The present invention is also directed to a substantially purified activated heterodimeric form of Notch and components thereof and pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Notch in its active form, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for referencing reference points of a fiducial implant. The fiducial implant and pointer are configured to removably and reproducibly mate to provide a known spatial relationship between the reference points and the pointer. A position finder is used to determine the position of the pointer in three-dimensional space to allow the position of each reference point in three dimensional space to be determined.

Abstract: Compositions comprising gp350 variant DNA and amino acid sequences are provided, as are vectors and host cells containing such sequences. Also provided is a process for producing homogeneous gp350 protein recombinantly and in the absence of production of gp220 protein, pharmaceutical compositions containing such protein and prophylactic treatments making use of such proteins.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or reducing unwanted heat in a microfluidic of the device while generating heat in selected regions of the device. In one example, current is supplied to a heating element through electric leads, wherein the leads are designed so that the current density in the leads is substantially lower than the current density in the heating element. This may be accomplished using conductive leads which have a cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the heating element. In another example, unwanted heat in the microfluidic complex is reduced by thermally isolating the electric leads from the microfluidic complex. This may be accomplished by running each lead directly away from the microfluidic complex, through a thermally isolating substrate. After the leads pass through the thermally isolating substrate, they are then routed to the current source.

Abstract: An exemplary system for measuring noise in a device comprises a CPU, a memory coupled to the CPU, an interface coupled to the CPU for providing instructions processed by the CPU, a control unit coupled to the interface for receiving the instructions, a preamplifier circuit coupled to the control unit for implementing the instructions, a power supply unit controlled by the control unit for providing power to the preamplifier circuit, and a device holder selectively attached to the preamplifier circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the preamplifier circuit further comprises a plurality of filters, an amplifier circuit, a plurality of switches for switching the amplifier circuit between a voltage amplifier mode and a current amplifier mode, and a variable loading resistor.

Abstract: A thermostable enzyme is provided which is derived from the microorganism Anaerocellum thermophiluml. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 96 to 100 kDa, shows DNA polymerase activity and reverse transcriptase activity in the presence of magnesium ions. The enzyme may be native or recombinant, and may be used with selected primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature cycling polymerase chain reaction on DNA or RNA as template with or without additional DNA polymerases as an enzyme mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for preventing reverse rotation operation of an engine using a system that includes a crank angle sensor (CAS), a cam position sensor (CPS), and an engine control unit for receiving signals from the CAS and the CPS to perform engine control. The method includes determining if a piston in a specific cylinder is at a predetermined location using a level of a CPS signal at a leading edge and a trailing edge of a CAS signal; determining if the engine is rotating in reverse using the CPS signal level at the leading edge and trailing edge of the CAS signal in the case where it is determined that the piston of the specific cylinder is at the predetermined location; and discontinuing operation of the engine if it is determined that the engine is undergoing reverse rotation.

Abstract: A shift control method and system is disclosed in which the number of shift signals generated within a predetermined time period after a first shift signal is determined and compared to a predetermined number. If the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number then the shift according to a prior signal must be completed before the next shift is performed. The system includes a control unit and sensors for controlling the transmission according to the disclosed method. The system and method thus prevents or reduces shift shock by ensuring that hydraulic control is properly routed within the transmission.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit using positive feedback while keeping the open loop gain of the circuit less than 1 to avoid oscillation. The circuit includes a floating signal source, a low gain amplifier, a feedback element, and a second stage circuit. The floating signal source produces a voltage that is impressed across the feedback element by the feedback system. The feedback element processes the voltage into an output current. The output current is passed through an output current node to the second stage circuit where the output current can be used as a current reference or be further processed. The output from the low gain amplifier may be used as a voltage output node that provides a voltage that is an amplification of the voltage produced by the floating signal source. The signal processing circuit may be embedded in another circuit, including additional stages of the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: The invention discloses the Neisseria meningitidis NMASP polypeptide, polypeptides derived therefrom (NMASP-derived polypeptides), nucleotide sequences encoding said polypeptides, and antibodies that specifically bind the NMASP polypeptide and/or NMASP-derived polypeptides. Also disclosed are prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, including immunogenic compositions, e.g., vaccines, comprising NMASP polypeptide and/or a NMASP-derived polypeptide. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing a immune response to Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria meningitidis NMASP polypeptide and an NMASP-derived polypeptide in animals.

Abstract: Disclosed is theobromine with an anti-carcinogenic activity which inhibits the suppression of GJIC (gap junctional intercellular communication), a pathological phenomenon occurring during development of various kinds of cancers including liver cancer, as well as DNA synthesis of cancer cells thereby inhibiting proliferation of liver, gastric and colon cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for depositing at least one layer (3) based on tungsten and/or on molybdenum by chemical vapor deposition on a non-conductive substrate (1), such as glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic, or polymer, which includes providing at least one tungsten- and/or molybdenum-containing precursor in the form of a metal halide and/or of an organometallic compound, and at least one reducing agent, such as hydrogen or silane, to form the at least one metal layer. The present invention also relates to the substrate obtained by the preceding process and its applications, especially for producing a glazing, mirrors, or emissive screens.

Abstract: A liquid compound or a compound solution is kept in contact with the surface of a solid material (synthetic resin, glass, metal, or ceramic), radiation selected from ultraviolet, visible, and infrared is irradiated on the interface between the surface of the solid material and the compound to optically excite the surface of the solid material and the compound, thereby effecting substitution with a chemical species in the compound, depositing or performing etching with the chemical species. Preferably, a transparent window is kept in tight contact with the surface of a solid material to be treated, a thin layer of the liquid compound or the compound solution is interposed between the surface of the solid material and the transparent window by using capillarity, and ultraviolet, visible, or infrared is irradiated through the window. With this treatment, the irradiated portion can be given hydrophilicity, adhesion properties, printing properties, corrosion resistance, and conductivity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for generating differential profiles having been subject to condition A vs. condition B (A vs. B) from data obtained in separately performed experimental measurements A vs. C and B vs. D. When C and D are the same, the invention provides methods for determination of systematic measurement errors or biases between different measurements carried out in different experimental reactions, i.e., cross-experiment errors or biases, using data measured for samples under the common condition and for removal or reduction of such cross-experiment errors. The invention further provides methods for generating differential profiles A vs. B from data obtained in single-channel measurements A and B.

Abstract: New compositions are disclosed that comprise the phytochemical Diindolylmethane (DIM), as well as its precursor, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and cogener, 2-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-3,3′diindolylmethane (LTR-1), acceptable carriers and/or excipients. These compositions are administered to prevent or reduce symptoms associated with mastalgia and endometriosis.

Abstract: A novel predator bacterium Burkholderia casidae is disclosed. The invention is directed to the isolation and use of Burkholderia casidae to control microbial diseases of plants. The genetic, biochemical and physiological characteristics of Burkholderia casidae are described. Biocontrol compositions comprising Burkholderia casidae, and antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial preparations prepared from Burkholderia casidae are also disclosed, as are methods for accomplishing all of the foregoing.

Abstract: In order to improve precision and reliability of a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a brake system of a vehicle, this invention provides a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a brake system of a vehicle including a control unit for controlling operation of the hydraulic pressure control apparatus, a pressurized fluid generating unit for pressurizing brake fluid and supplying the pressurized fluid, and a hydraulic pressure distributing unit for mechanically selecting and transmitting at least one of hydraulic pressure of the pressurized fluid supplied from the pressurized fluid generating unit and hydraulic pressure supplied from a master cylinder of the brake system to a wheel brake cylinder of the brake system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a security element for the electronic surveillance of articles. This security element is detected by surveillance systems operating in different frequency ranges and it includes at least two materials of high permeability which, when excited by an external alternating magnetic field emit each a characteristic signal. The maximum signal components of the two materials lie in different frequency ranges and the signal components of the one material are negligibly ow in that particular frequency range in which the signal component of the other material is at a maximum level. The invention also relates to surveillance systems that incorporate these security elements.