Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device (450) includes a semiconductor chip (400) having at least one selectively thinned substrate (cavity) region (410). A package (460) is provided for mounting, enclosing and electrically connecting the chip (400) to the outside world, and structure for applying external stress (470) to induce strain in the thinned substrate region (410). The external stress is preferably adjustable, such as by varying the gas flow (or a vacuum) applied through a pressure valve.

Abstract: A detection device is provided for detecting the presence of an agent in a fluid. The device includes a body defining first and second chambers. It is intended for the first chamber accommodating the flow of fluid therein. A first valve is disposed in the body between in the first and second chambers. The first valve opens in response to the presence of the agent in the fluid. A first detection structure is disposed in the second chamber in order to generate a predetermined signal in response to exposure to the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing soft tissue such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, dermis, human valves and human veins for implant in a human and removes cellular components and forms an decellular matrix having as major components collagens and elastins while sterilizing the tissue. The process comprises the following steps: (1) isolating from a suitable donor a desired soft tissue sample of the biological material; (2) processing and decellularizing the soft tissue including inspection for visual defects, trimming and soaking the tissue in a detergent depending on whether the tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same with sterile water; (3) sterilizing the soft tissue in a vacuum and soaking the tissue in an antibiotic composition or peracetic acid depending on whether the soft tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same; (4) processing the tissue by cutting the tissue to size and perforating the tissue; and (5) dipping the tissue in 70% ethanol and packaging the tissue.

Abstract: A detection device and method for detecting the presence of an agent in a fluid. The device includes a membrane having first and second sides. The membrane allows a stimulus, e.g. ultraviolet light, to dissolve in response to presence of the agent. A source is positioned on a first side of the membrane. The source sources the stimulus toward the membrane. A detection structure is disposed on the second side of the membrane for detecting the stimulus. The detection structure generates an output voltage in response to the intensity of the stimulus detected. As the membrane dissolves, the intensity of the stimulus detected changes.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and corn plants comprising brown midrib and gt1 genes conferring increased digestibility of plants and regrowth following cutting. The invention thus relates to corn plants, seeds and tissue cultures comprising brown midrib and gt1 genes, and to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a corn plant comprising the brown midrib and gt1 genes with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants comprising brown midrib and gt1 genes with plants of another variety, such as an inbred line.

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: A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, system apparatus and devices for classification and recognition that is based on principal component analysis and is implemented in the transform domain using the fast two-dimensional PCA to processes the signal in the transform domain. The signal is represented with a reduced number of coefficients, therefore reducing the storage requirements and computational complexity while yielding high recognition accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of peptide sequencing by MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization) tandem mass spectrometry, which comprises the steps of chemically modifying a sample peptide with at least one chemical modification method selected from the group consisting of guanidination and esterification in order to change the ionization status of the peptide and performing mass spectrometry using a MALDI tandem mass spectrometer and programmed MALDI tandem mass spectrometry. The peptide sequencing method of the present invention is advantageous in that detection sensitivity of the peptide improves significantly and various daughter ions are detected uniformly, thereby enabling perfect de novo sequencing with tandem mass spectrometry only, without database search.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides vernalization-related polypeptides, nucleic acids and methods of using the same for inducibly-conferring epigenetic change on a target gene in plant or non-plant settings.

Abstract: An image retrieval technique employing a novel hierarchical feature/descriptor vector quantizer tool—‘vocabulary tree’, of sorts comprising hierarchically organized sets of feature vectors—that effectively partitions feature space in a hierarchical manner, creating a quantized space that is mapped to integer encoding. The computerized implementation of the new technique(s) employs subroutine components, such as: A trainer component of the tool generates a hierarchical quantizer, Q, for application/use in novel image-insertion and image-query stages. The hierarchical quantizer, Q, tool is generated by running k-means on the feature (a/k/a descriptor) space, recursively, on each of a plurality of nodes of a resulting quantization level to ‘split’ each node of each resulting quantization level. Preferably, training of the hierarchical quantizer, Q, is performed in an ‘offline’ fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) gene originating from Psychrobacter sp. HJ147, and amino acid sequences deduced from the gene; expression and purification of Psp HJ147 UDG gene in Escherichia coli; and characterization of UDG obtained therefrom, and the use thereof in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The UDG according to the present invention has a specific activity of excising uracil bases in a uracil-containing DNA substrates at a low temperature, and is easily heat-inactivated. It thus can effectively eliminate cross contamination and carry-over contamination of PCR templates often occurring after a PCR process using dUTP. Therefore, it is useful for increasing preciseness (elimination of false positives), purity and amplification efficiency of PCR.

Abstract: Use of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A as a marker for inflammatory conditions, and in particular, for acute coronary syndromes is described.

Abstract: Organic pigments are capable of catalyzing the decomposition reaction of hydrogen-rich, stabilized, borohydride solutions to generate hydrogen gas on-board an operable hydrogen-consuming device such as a motor vehicle or other combustion engine. The organic pigments are used in hydrogen generating systems and in methods for controlling the generation of hydrogen gas from metal hydride solutions.

Abstract: This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods for predicting metastasis in cancer by assessing the structure of the complement protein C1qA. The methods may encompass examining either protein or nucleic acids, and may further include making treatment decisions based on the predictive methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or reducing oxidation of a frying oil during frying. The method involves adding a terpene ester compound, including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, to a frying oil under conditions effective to prevent or reduce oxidation of the frying oil during frying. Also disclosed are frying oil compositions containing a frying oil and a terpene ester compound including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, as well as food products fried with such frying oil compositions.

Abstract: Bermudagrass ‘ST-5’ is provided. The new and distinct dwarf variety has excellent shade tolerance, superior tawny mole cricket non-preference, small seed heads, and thrives in hot and humid conditions. The asexually reproduced triploid variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.