Abstract: A rotaxane consisting of a cucurbituril and an uncharged guest molecule, having low or null affinity therebetween is provided as well as processes for providing the same. Various uses as energy converters (“frictionless” molecular motors), biochips and biosensors using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are provided where X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds are used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions.

Abstract: 19-nor-vitamin D analogs having an additional dihydrofuran ring connecting the 3?-oxygen and carbon-2 of the A-ring of the analog, and pharmaceutical uses therefore, are described. These compounds exhibit selective in vitro and in vivo activities, making them therapeutic agents for the treatment or prophylaxis of autoimmune diseases, some types of cancers, metabolic bone diseases, osteomalacia, osteopenia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, psoriasis, or other skin diseases.

Abstract: Biomarkers that are diagnostic of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder are identified. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder. An analysis includes the parameters of matching for BMI and Tanner stage. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were established to assess association of the biomarkers with a disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quantitative evaluation system and method for multiagent grouping, which enables agents to be grouped in such a manner as to ensure efficient agent cooperation. The system comprises: a plurality of agents in a network-connected multiagent system, each of which agents has quantitative information on a predicate that is a type of information to be produced or consumed, and produces or consumes one or more types of information; an adjusting means for receiving the quantitative information from each of the agents, performing quantitative evaluation thereof, and then grouping the plurality of agents into one or more communities; and a message broker means for transferring the information gathered from the plurality of agents to the adjusting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) being operatable at a low-voltage. The OTFT has a gate dielectric layer of ultra-thin metal oxide or a dual gate dielectric layer of metal oxide and organic dielectric. The metal oxide layer is self-grown to a thickness lower than 10 nm by direct oxidation of a metal gate electrode in O2 plasma process at a temperature lower than 100° C. The gate electrode is deposited with pattern on a plastic or glass substrate. An organic semiconductor layer is deposited on the gate dielectric layer, and source/drain electrodes are formed thereon. In case the dual gate dielectric layer is used, the source/drain electrodes can be disposed under the organic semiconductor layer to realize a bottom contact structure.

Abstract: A method to prepare halogen end-capped polypyrroles, polyfurans or copolymeric pyrroles and furans is presented that readily occurs in a liquid state as well as a solid state without the need of a catalyst from a dihalopyrrole monomer, dihalofuran monomer, or a mixture of monomers. The polymerization mixture can be modified to include a monohalo-monomer for the introduction of a specific end-group or a polyhalo-monomer to form a branched polymer or network. An initiating species can be included in the polymerization mixture to avoid an induction period or to commence the polymerization process on demand. The electroactive polymers can be formed as a bulk material, a coating, or as a film.

Abstract: A time division duplexing (TDD) transmission/reception apparatus and method are provided. The TDD transmission/reception apparatus includes: a transmitter which generates a transmitted signal; an antenna which transmits the transmitted signal to an external device and receives a received signal from an external device; a receiver which restores source data by demodulating the received signal; and a polarized duplexer which has a first end connected to the transmitter and the receiver and a second end connected to the antenna and comprises an inclined surface, the inclined surface polarizing the transmitted signal and the received signal such that the directivity of the transmitted signal and the directivity of the received signal are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: Amino acid sequences of feline thyrotropin and polynucleotide sequences encoding feline thyrotropin are provided, as well as methods of making and using said sequences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel compounds which are derivatives of minocycline or doxycycline, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and use thereof in lowering excess IgE levels in a mammal suffering from a disease where IgE is pathogenic.

Abstract: A new cellulose excipient, OCCAE, suitable for use as a binder, filler, and/or disintegrant in the development of solid dosage forms and as a bodying agent or a drug carrier in the preparation of topical formulations is described. The cellulose excipient is formed by reacting an oxidized cellulose ester with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The invention also describes the formation of controlled release microspheres using OCCAE and/or oxidized cellulose esters that may be used to control the release of drug in a patient over a time period of several hours to several days.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are provided where X1 and X2 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds are used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of lacritin, and fragments, derivatives, and homologs thereof, and nucleic acid sequences encoding that protein. The invention relates to the use of lacritin as a growth factor human corneal epithelial cells and other select epithelial cells. The invention also relates to the use of lacritin in promoting ocular cell survival in response to an insult or injury, in protecting against ocular inflammation, and in promoting ocular wound repair.

Abstract: Free radical living polymerization attached nanocluster (metal oxide, e.g., gamma-Fe2O3 or FeO nanocluster or quantum dot (e.g., CdSe) nanocluster, are used for polymerization of polymer or copolymer to provide nanocomposite polymers or copolymer arms around nanoclusters.

Abstract: A horizontal hold down clamp that includes a base member. The hold down clamp further includes a bar member pivotally connected at a fixed point to the base member. A handle is pivotally connected to the base member at a fixed point. The clamp also includes a link connected pivotally to the handle member and the bar member. The clamp may also include a spindle arranged on the bar members and a locking lever arranged on the side of the handle member.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for diagnosis, including prognosis, of conditions associated with decreased arginine bioavailability (which can result from dysregulated arginine metabolism, e.g., due to increased arginase activity) by assessing in a sample from a subject the ratio of arginine to one or more, usually two or more, modulators of arginine bioavailability. In one embodiment, the ratio of arginine to (ornithine+citrulline) is assessed to aid in diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of constructing a superconducting coil. The method includes embedding a plurality of heater elements throughout a superconducting coil. The heater elements are positioned according to a predetermined distribution and substantially in thermal contact with the coil for heating the coil in response to a quench condition. Other aspects of the invention involve an active protection circuit and a high temperature superconductor magnet that includes such an active protection circuit for internally dissipating stored magnetic energy in the event of a quench.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated polypeptide having triterpene methyltransferase activity. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes the triterpene methyltransferase polypeptides; a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecules that encode the triterpene methyltransferase polypeptides; and a host cell(s) transfected with the aforementioned nucleic acid molecule or vector. In another aspect, a method of producing a methylated triterpene is provided. The method comprises providing a metabolizable carbon source to a host cell transfected with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a triterpene methyltransferase under conditions sufficient for production of a methylated triterpene. The method optionally further comprises isolating the methylated triterpene produced by the host cell.

Abstract: An article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte and being free of salt crystals having a size greater than about 1 micrometer and free of voids having a size greater than about 100 nm, the article having no transverse dimension less than about 10,000 nm.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and fault detection system for detecting and identifying the location of faults in underground power lines that can effectively and quickly identify faults in underground power lines. Embodiments can provide a method and fault detection system that quickly identify faults in a power grid that result from open circuits or short circuits in underground conduits. A specific system for fault detection of power lines in a network having one or more substations and corresponding one or more manholes for access to underground lines, includes: a sensor device for each manhole, wherein the sensor device is capable of detecting a magnetic field generated by a power line and can send a signal through a fiber optic cable, the signal including a unique wavelength identifier; and a communication device for each substation for transmitting the signal from the sensor device to an operator.