Abstract: A method of generating cultured chondrocytes/endochondral bone cells is provided. The method comprising isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue, and culturing the isolated chondrocytes. A method of isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue is further provided. The method comprises isolating mandibular condyle tissue from a mammal and treating the mandibular condyle tissue so as to selectively remove fibroblast-like cells and/or myocytes therefrom, the modified mandibular condyle tissue including chondrocytes, and selectively collecting the chondrocytes from the modified mandibular condyle tissue.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit using integrator-based common-mode stabilization technique is disclosed. A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit with the differential floating sampling (DFS) technique has a common-mode gain value of one (1). An integrator is electrically coupled to the differential positive/negative outputs of the DFS circuit, and the integrator feeds back integrator output to the DFS circuit by detecting common-mode voltage disturbance at the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout?), thereby stabilizing output common-mode level of the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout?) at a desirable level.

Abstract: A successive approximation ADC is disclosed. A comparator receives and compares a sampled input signal and an output of a DAC. Non-binary successive approximation register (SAR) control logic controls sampling of the input signal and controls a sequence of comparisons based on comparison result of the comparator. The SAR control logic controls each comparison when signal or charge in the DAC has not been completely settled. A binary-error-tolerant corrector is then used to compensate the sampling error.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing, expression, and characterization of an immunoreactive ferric binding protein (Fbp) (38-kDa) protein of Ehrlichia canis encoded by a polynucleotide therefor. In particular embodiments, the protein is employed in an immunogenic composition, such as a vaccine. Methods to induce an immune reaction in an individual with compositions of the invention are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein ligands comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) domain and an immunoglobulin light chain variable (VL) domain, wherein the proteins bind a complex comprising an MHC and a peptide, do not substantially bind the MHC in the absence of the bound peptide, and do not substantially bind the peptide in the absence of the MHC, and the peptide is a peptide fragment of gp100, MUC1, TAX, or hTERT. Also disclosed are methods of using and identifying such ligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiproliferative compound having a structural formula where X and Y independently are oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carboxylic acid, carboxylate, carboxamide, ester, thioamide, thiolacid, thiolester, saccharide, alkoxy-linked saccharide, amine, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, alcohol, ethers or nitriles; R2 and R3 are hydrogen or R4; R4 is methyl, benzyl carboxylic acid, benzyl carboxylate, benzyl carboxamide, benzylester, saccharide or amine; and R1 is alkenyl; where when Y is nitrogen, said nitrogen is substituted with R6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or methyl. Also provided are methods for treating a cell proliferative disease and for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising administering this compound is also provided.

Abstract: A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection.

Abstract: Anti CMV antibodies are provided. Thus an antibody of the present invention comprises an antigen recognition domain capable of binding an MHC molecule being complexed with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 or pp64 peptide, wherein the antibody does not bind said MHC molecule in an absence of said complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind said peptide in an absence of said MHC molecule. Also provided are methods of using the antibodies.

Abstract: A low power hall thruster is provided that is effective for micro-spacecrafts and nano-spacecrafts as well as mini-spacecrafts. The hall thruster comprises a co-axial acceleration channel capable of being applied with predominantly-radial magnetic field and a co-axial anode within a cavity capable of being applied with substantially longitudinal magnetic field. A cathode-compensator is placed beyond the acceleration channel and magnetic system is provided capable of generating the radial magnetic field within the co-axial acceleration channel and the longitudinal magnetic field within the co-axial anode. An electrically isolated gas distributor is also provided.

Abstract: Articles of manufacturing for preventing or reducing tobacco smoke- and smokeless-tobacco associated injury in the aerodigestive tract of a subject are disclosed, which comprise at least one agent capable of reducing or preventing tobacco associated loss of peroxidase activity in said aerodigestive tract, said at least one agent being selected from the group consisting of a cyanide chelator and an iron chelator.

Abstract: A device for improved vision into or out of at least one eye of a subject. The device comprises an enclosing vessel for holding one or more lenses in front one or two eyes of the subject and for holding a substance whose refractive index is matched to the refractive index of the cornea. The vessel is adapted to seal the substance to the face around the eye or eyes of the subject thereby allowing focusing into or out of the eye or eyes.

Abstract: A source driving circuit adapted to drive a display panel is provided herein. The source driving circuit includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer responsible for enhancing signals with different polarities respectively. As for the first output buffer, the first output buffer includes a first differential input stage, a first output stage and a second output stage. The first output stage includes a first level adjustment circuit and a first self-bias providing circuit. The first level adjustment circuit provides a first level voltage according to input signals received by the first differential input stage, such that the second output stage thereby provides a first charge current and a second charge current to output a first output signal based on the first level voltage. The first self-bias providing circuit provides a first biased voltage associated with one input signal to control the first level adjustment circuit to operate.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new architecture for all-optical logic architecture. In this architecture the gate is partitioned into a linear front-end followed by a nonlinear back-end. The logic calculation is practically performed within the linear stage, easing the requirements placed on the non-linear part and thus reducing the gate complexity. The new structures provide flexibility and improved performance for the all-optical logic. The proposed scheme may be integrated optics/electronics. An important additional attribute of our all-optical logic family is reconfigurability, i.e. the ability of the hardware architecture or devices to rapidly alter the functionalities of its components and the interconnection between them as needed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for the introduction of a drainage tube into a patient's chest cavity, comprising a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis; a scalpel operable in a protruding position between a closed position in which the cutting portions are adjacent one another and adapted to make an incision in the dermis of the patient, and an open position in which the cutting portions are spaced from one another forming a scalpel passage along the longitudinal axis between the cutting portions. The apparatus further comprising a trocar comprising first and second trocar portions, each extending along the length of the trocar; the trocar being operable between an closed position wherein the first and second trocar portions are substantially adjacent one another, and a closed position in which the first and second trocar portions are spaced from one another and adapted for the introduction of the drainage tube therethrough.

Abstract: An ultrasound cardiac stimulation system comprising: a spatially selective ultrasound source comprising at least one ultrasound transducer located outside the circulatory system; and a controller; where the controller generates an electrical response in the heart by directing the ultrasound source to transmit a high enough power level of ultrasound to one or more locations in the heart.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical compositions useful for inhibiting the growth of solid tumors are provided. Specifically, the method is effected by administering to a subject in need thereof an agent capable of upregulating the expression level and/or activity of at least a functional portion of Sef, wherein the functional portion being capable of inhibiting RTK-mediated cell proliferation. Also provided are methods and kits for diagnosing and staging of cancer by detecting the expression level of hSef in a tissue sample, wherein a decrease in hSef expression level is indicative of cancer.

Abstract: An isolated composition of matter is provided comprising a heterogeneous population of cells seeded on a surface of a scaffold, wherein the heterogeneous population of cells comprises at least one pancreatic islet, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An output buffer and a source driver for a display panel are provided. The output buffer includes a differential input stage, a bias current source, a feedback module, and an output stage. The differential input stage has a first input terminal and a second input terminal receiving a first input signal and a second input signal respectively, and a first output terminal. The bias module provides a bias current to the differential input stage. The output stage has a second output terminal coupled to the first input terminal for providing an output current to the second output terminal based on a signal of the first output terminal. The feedback module adjusts the bias current and the output current based on the first input signal and the second input signal. The output buffer has ability of switching the output voltage to be low level and high level in high-speed.