Abstract: A method for producing a titanium dioxide photocatalyst is provided. The method uses a sol-gel process wherein acid and base catalysts are added in two separate steps. According to the method, a titanium dioxide photocatalyst with increased mesoporosity can be produced without the use of any particular additive. Further, an anatase structure is formed upon drying and is maintained even after high-temperature calcination. Further provided is a titanium dioxide photocatalyst produced by the method. Further provided is a titanium dioxide photocatalyst doped with sulfur and zirconium, which is produced by using the method. The doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst exhibits catalytic activity even under visible light and excellent surface characteristics to achieve improved photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved VP2-modified recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors, expression systems, and rAAV virions that are fully virulent, yet lack functional VP2 protein expression. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, virus particles, host cells, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise these modified vectors useful in the expression of therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, peptides, antisense oligonucleotides and/or ribozymes in the cells and tissues of selected mammals, including, for example, human tissues and host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful in the treatment and/or prevention of ophthalmic conditions and diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, that are dependent upon or related to misfolded opsin proteins in vivo. In addition, screening assays for agents useful in such treatment methods are described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses transgenic plants having an altered level of NAP protein compared to that of a non-transgenic plant, where the transgenic plants display an altered leaf senescence phenotype relative to a non-transgenic plant, as well as mutant plants comprising an inactivated NAP gene, where mutant plants display a delayed leaf senescence phenotype compared to that of a non-mutant plant. The present invention also discloses methods for delaying leaf senescence in a plant, as well as methods of making a mutant plant having a decreased level of NAP protein compared to that of a non-mutant plant, where the mutant plant displays a delayed leaf senescence phenotype relative to a non-mutant plant. Methods for causing precocious leaf senescence or promoting leaf senescence in a plant are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of identifying a candidate plant suitable for breeding that displays a delayed leaf senescence and/or enhanced yield phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of using stereospecific benzodiazepine derivatives, their salts and prodrugs for the treatment of anxiolytic or convulsant disorders having the side effects of reduced alcohol craving in human alcoholics and a concomitant reduced sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and ataxic side-effects. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of anxiolytic and convulsant disorders in subjects in need thereof, comprising a compound, prodrug or a salt having a chemical structure represented by any one of Formula I-XXI and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Remineralizing dental cements contain source(s) of calcium and phosphate ions, adhesive resin monomers, reinforcing base resin monomers, and catalysts able to initiate the polymerization of the adhesive and reinforcing base resin monomers. Such dental cements can be used as orthodontic cements, crown and bridge cements, adhesives, sealants, cavity liners, and protective coatings. The release of calcium and phosphate ions and, optionally, fluoride ions, protects tooth structure from demineralization, a precursor of tooth decay.

Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic cell which includes forming a nanostructured layer in a semiconductor material having a plurality of pores opening onto a surface, the plurality of pores having a depth greater than about 1 micron and a diameter between about 5 nanometers and about 1,200 nanometers, and disposing an organic charge-transfer material in the pores of the nanostructured layer. A first electrode is attached to the semiconductor material, and a second electrode is attached to the organic charge-transfer material. The semiconductor material has a thickness between about 5 microns and about 700 microns. Desirably, the nanostructured layer has a porosity of less than the porosity corresponding to the percolation threshold, and the organic charge-transfer material extends at least about 100 nm from the surface of the nanostructured layer.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an elastic sheath, device, and methods for disrupting and/or removing occlusive material from lumens, particularly biological lumens, such as the vasculature, ureter, urethra, fallopian tubes, bile duct, intestines, and the like. The subject invention provides for effective disruption and removal of occlusive material, such as a thrombus, from the body lumen with minimal risk of injury to the lumen wall. Advantageously, the invention can be used to achieve a high degree of removal while minimizing the amount of occlusive material that is released into the body lumen. The subject invention further pertains to methods for disrupting and removing occlusive material from a biological lumen. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a device useful as an in vitro model of luminal occlusion and methods for using the device to test the efficacy of devices and methods for treating luminal occlusions.

Abstract: A means and method for improving ozone oxidation through the addition of an iron(II) catalyst is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e.g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.

Abstract: A method for generating colonography images for colorectal screening of a patient. The patient is administered an amount of radiopaque stool marker which will enable stool present in the patient's colon to be distinguished from soft tissue. The patient's colon is imaged after the stool marker has been administered to generate colonography images. Preparation of the colon is simulated by processing the colonography images to remove marked stool before the images are observed during a diagnosis session.

Abstract: A method for producing images of a subject containing M spin species using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes obtaining N k-space data matrices from N k-space data sets acquired with the MRI system using a pulse sequence with an individual associated echo time. The k-space data matrices each include corresponding data at the same plurality of k-space locations and time stamps are tracked for each k-space location. For each k-space location, a set of linear equations in k-space is solved. The set of linear equations relates corresponding data from the N k-space data matrices, echo times and time stamps to desired calculated k-space data. Calculated data in k-space which is corrected for chemical shift is produced corresponding to each k-space location and aggregated to obtain a k-space calculated data set. The k-space calculated data set is transformed to image space to obtain a corresponding image.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosing risk of low BMD and risk of osteoporosis based on the detection of SNP identity for human chromosome 1p36 polymorphisms designated in the NCBI SNP database (dbSNP) as rs2794328, rs446529, rs397559 and rs1802353.

Abstract: The invention describes a steerable sheath for percutaneous epicardial access. The invention also describes a novel lead to facilitate left ventricular pacing and efficient defibrillation.

Abstract: A system for estimating orientation of a target based on real-time video data uses depth data included in the video to determine the estimated orientation. The system includes a time-of-flight camera capable of depth sensing within a depth window. The camera outputs hybrid image data (color and depth). Segmentation is performed to determine the location of the target within the image. Tracking is used to follow the target location from frame to frame. During a training mode, a target-specific training image set is collected with a corresponding orientation associated with each frame. During an estimation mode, a classifier compares new images with the stored training set to determine an estimated orientation. A motion estimation approach uses an accumulated rotation/translation parameter calculation based on optical flow and depth constrains. The parameters are reset to a reference value each time the image corresponds to a dominant orientation.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a three-dimensional distribution of structural defects in a single crystal material, the method comprising: (a) disposing a single crystal sample on a holder, the sample being set to a symmetric reflection in the Bragg Geometry; (b) projecting a beam of incident x-rays on a predetermined crystal plane in the sample and reflecting the x-rays while the sample is azimuthally rotating with respect to an normal axis, the normal axis being perpendicular to the predetermined crystal plane; (c) obtaining geometrical measured values of a two-dimensional configuration of defects on the detector plane of a CCD detector; and (d) determining the three-dimensional distribution of the defects in the sample by formulating a geometrical relation between a three-dimensional configuration of defects on the sample and the geometrical measured values of the two-dimensional configuration of defects on the detector plane.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide GALAT1 having galacturonosyltransferase (GalAT) activity. The Arabidopsis GALAT1 sequence disclosed represents the first pectin biosynthetic glycosyltransferase gene isolated from plants. The invention further provides 14 GALAT and 10 GALAT-like gene superfamily members. The identification of the GALAT gene superfamily offers new opportunities to modulate pectin synthesis in vivo and in vitro by modulating the GALAT gene, for example, transgenic plants that produce modified pectins can be generated by altering the GALAT gene. Since modified pectins are predicted to affect plant growth, development, and plant defense responses, the transgenic plants are expected to have improved agricultural value. The modified pectins isolated from such transgenic plants are useful as gelling and stabilizing agents in the food, neutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Abstract: A process by which nanostructured monolithic bodies can be produced in a single continuous operation, as opposed to multi-stage deformation processing. The process generally entails continuously producing a chip having a nanostructured microstructure by engaging a solid body with a cutting edge of a tool while the solid body and the cutting edge move relative to each other, and simultaneously extruding the chip in the immediate vicinity of the cutting edge, such as with a constraining member, as the chip is separated from the solid body by the cutting edge to continuously plastically deform the chip and produce a nanostructured monolithic body immediately downstream of the cutting edge. The shape and size of the chip can be simultaneously controlled by the extrusion process so that the nanostructured monolithic body has a predetermined geometry. The nanostructured monolithic body can be in the form of a product suitable for immediate use, or undergo further processing to yield a product.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preconditioning and/or providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, trauma, metal poisoning and neurodegeneration, including the associated cognitive, behavioral and physical impairments. In one embodiment, the method is accomplished by stimulating and stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1? (HIF-1?). HIF-1? is known to provide a neuroprotective benefit under ischemic conditions. Patients at risk for certain diseases or disorders that are associated with risk for cerebral ischemia may benefit, e.g., those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease or stroke or those patients having head or spinal cord injury. Patients undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in ischemia may also benefit. Initially, the possibility of ischemia or neurodegeneration is recognized.

Abstract: The invention provides Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) vectors useful for expression of heterologous proteins in plants such as soybean. The BPMV vectors are also useful for virus-induced gene silencing. The invention also provides methods for expressing a heterologous polypeptide in a plant such as soybean. The invention additionally provides methods for virus-induced gene silencing, particularly in a soybean plant, which can be used to determine the function of a gene of interest.