Abstract: A chemical composition including a moiety comprising a quencher (Q), a tethering element (T), and a ligand (L) that associates with and quenches a fluorescent polymer is disclosed. When an analyte sample is introduced, the ligand (L) binds to a target biological agent if it is present, thereby causing the QTL molecule to separate from the fluorescent polymer resulting in an increase in detected fluorescence. The same chemistry is advantageously employed in a competitive assay. An electric field can also be applied to separate the QTL molecule from the fluorescent polymer. A method for detecting targets for these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various forms of c-mpl agonist antibodies are shown to influence the replication, differentiation or maturation of blood cells, especially megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. Accordingly, these compounds may be used for treatment of thrombocytopenia.

Abstract: Polypeptides of adeno-associated virus (AAV) that bind to AAV antibodies or block binding of AAV to mammalian cells are described. Derivatives of peptides can be less immunogenic, enhance binding to cells, render a virus tissue specific and so on. The nucleic acid sequence encoding those derivatives can be incorporated into a capsid encoding sequence to enable a virus to express such a derivative and be less immunogenic, have enhanced transduction efficiency or be tissue specific.

Abstract: Foreshocks are key to understand the dynamics of earthquake processes, thus, they can lead to short-term earthquake prediction.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition including (A) a resin containing an alicyclic skeleton in its backbone, and (B) a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent, is provided. This composition is excellent in transparency with respect to radiation and dry etching resistance, and can give a photoresist pattern excellent in adhesion to substrates, sensitivity, resolution, and developability.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a vortex device for treating exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, which comprises a first housing having a first end surface and a second end surface; a first inlet positioned on the first end surface and connected to an exhaust tube of the internal combustion engine; a first outlet positioned on the second end surface; a first baffle board fixedly connected to the housing, having a plurality of gas holes; a first vortex mechanism connected to the first baffle board; and a catalytic filter. The invention also provides a system for treating exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The system comprises the vortex device, the first treating device, and/or the second treating device and/or a fourth treating device as the internal combustion is a diesel engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moving dipole source electromagnetic induction device and method for carrying out geophysical surveys. The device is useful to locate deeper sub-surface bodies under poor electrical conducting surfaces and for mapping sub-surfacial conductivity changes due to salinity or pollution. The device includes a transmitter coil forming a series resonant circuit with tuning capacitor producing primary electromagnetic field and a receiver set. The receiver set up picks up resultant time varying feeble secondary electromagnetic field produced by transmitter components and a target. The secondary field amplitude is improved by increasing power of the transmitter coil. The transmitter and receiver set up produces an analog signal which is fed to A/D converter to obtain a digital signal to display the obtained data on an LCD display and storing the same data in a digital computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antifungal molecule 2-(3,4-dimethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1-methylethyl pentanoate of formula (I) from a plant Datura metel a process for isolation and characterization of the molecule and a pharmaceutical composition essentially comprising the molecule as an antifungal agent.

Abstract: The universal Internet based telephony system is implemented as a process that is accessible via an Internet web page and executes on the web server that hosts the web page and/or a back-end Internet telephony server which is accessed and controlled by the web server. The customer accesses the universal Internet based telephony system via any existing Java Enabled Internet Browser software resident on the customer's personal computer, either as an adjunct process thereon, or as a dedicated Internet telephony process. When a customer accesses the Internet web page and clicks on the universal Internet based telephony system icon, the web server on which the web page resides executes the resident universal Internet based telephony system hyperlink script and transfers a newly opened browser session to the universal Internet based telephony system web site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hair styling composition which includes a vinyl copolymer and a nonaqueous solvent. Another disclosed hair styling composition contains a vinyl copolymer, a nonaqueous solvent, a urethane copolymer, a polyester and optionally a second nonaqueous solvent. Film formers and other additives may be included in the composition. The compositions are applied to the hair. Heat may be used in connection with the application. A method of making the compositions by adding copolymers one at a time and stirring until clear mixtures are obtained after each addition is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nematode inducible promoter sequence from maize inbred line Mp307, and DNA constructs and transcription cassettes comprising said promoter sequence, a gene encoding a toxin, and a termination sequence. Methods for inducing nematode resistance in plants and transgenic plants resistant to nematode infection are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for wheel wear uses position and/or speed information from an independent positioning system to measure some distance over which the train has traveled. Wheel rotation information is also collected over the distance. The wheel rotation information and distance and/or speed information are then used to determine the size of the train wheels. The method is performed periodically to correct for changes in wheel size over time due to wear so that the wheel rotation information can be used to determine train position and speed in the event of a positioning system failure.

Abstract: A triple-walled underground storage tank is provided with primary, secondary and tertiary walls. Between each two adjacent walls, an annular space is provided. The annular space is continuous throughout, and permits the flow of liquid therein. Monitors may be provided separately for each annulus, to detect the formation of leaks, or a lack of containment, in either wall defining the annular space. In one embodiment, the tertiary wall is a smooth cylinder formed about the circumferential ribs of the secondary wall. In the alternative embodiment, the rib-bearing wall is the tertiary wall, and the walls and annular materials of the tank are formed within a female mold. In either case, a tank prepared from integral ribs, with superior robustness and strength, is provided with triple containment.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for calibrating a movable receiver coil with spatially varying signal reception profile in a magnetic resonance imaging environment is described. The method of the invention calibrates the movable receiver coil with spatially varying signal reception profile by dividing the receiver coil into parts and determining electromagnetic interactions of the parts in the environment. The method further includes (1) estimating orientation and position information corresponding to the receiver coil and (2) associating electromagnetic interaction data with records such as (a) responses of the receiver coil in various tissue environments to emissions caused by stimuli from external magnetic resonance coils, (b) high-resolution external receiver coil records of emissions from same environments, and (c) measurements of self-interactions and mutual interactions among the parts of the receiver coil.

Abstract: Silicon carbide semiconductor power devices having epitaxially grown guard rings edge termination structure are provided. Forming the claimed guard rings from an epitaxially grown SiC layer avoids the traditional problems associated with implantation of guard rings, and permits the use of self aligning manufacturing techniques for making the silicon carbide semiconductor power devices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of extraction, purification and characterization of a non-polar fluorescent dye from a marine echinoderm Holothuria scabra, compositions containing the dye and various applications of the dye, said dye is a natural, cell permeant, nontoxic and environmentally friendly non-polar fluorescent dye.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying data presents results from a single assay across multiple wells and plates on a single screen in a format that preserves the spatial relationship between the wells on a plate and the sequential relationship between plates. Also provided to the user is the ability to display these results from multiple wells in a color coded format corresponding to a binary (e.g. good/bad) or quadripartite (e.g. good/marginally good/marginally bad/bad) division. Also displayed are plate-wide statistics, such as signal-to-noise ratio and variability, for multiple plates on a single screen so that problem plates can be readily identified. The ability for a user to view a summary of performance on a well-by-well basis across all compounds/plates is also provided to aid the user in detecting general trends, including the possible existence of mechanical errors. Finally, the user is also provided with the ability to select or deselect plates and assays for review in the above formats.

Abstract: A competitive assay for the concentration of a cyclic nucleotide such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate combines, in a reaction chamber provided with a capture antibody, an antibody for the cAMP or other cyclic nucleotide, the sample to be assayed and a conjugate of cAMP and alkaline phosphatase. The mixture is incubated and washed, and after washing, a 1,2-dioxetane which is caused to decompose when contacted by the alkaline phosphatase of said conjugate is added. The light emission caused by decomposition is measured, with the strength of the signal being inversely related to the concentration of the cyclic nucleotide. Optionally, an enhancement agent in the form of a polymeric onium salt may be added, to further enhance the light emission.

Abstract: Strains of Lactobacilli having the ability to reduce or block pro-inflammatory cytokines and also to induce anti-inflammatory cytokines are disclosed. These strains may be used to prepare therapeutic agents that reduce inflammation. Lactobacillus secreted proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are also disclosed. The Lactobacillus secretions, which block translocation of bacterial agents such as Gram (−) bacteria, other infectious agents, toxins, chemicals and injurious substances, may be used in the prevention and treatment of inflammation caused by bacterial translocation and injury and in treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating diseases and disorders involving T cell activation and HIV-infection, using the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway as a target for intervention. There is further disclosed a use for guanylhydrazone-substituted compounds to treat diseases and disorders related to T cell activation and HIV-infection.