Abstract: Chiral ligands and metal complexes based on such chiral ligands useful in asymmetric catalysis are disclosed. The metal complexes according to the present invention are useful as catalysts in asymmetric reactions, such as, hydrogenation, hydride transfer, allylic alkylation, hydrosilylation, hydroboration, hydrovinylation, hydroformylation, olefin metathesis, hydrocarboxylation, isomerization, cyclopropanation, Diels-Alder reaction, Heck reaction, isomerization, Aldol reaction, Michael addition; epoxidation, kinetic resolution and [m+n] cycloaddition. Processes for the preparation of the ligands are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manipulating the carboxamide functionality in a catalytic manner. The method includes the steps of reacting amides with or without amines in the presence of various types of metal catalysts, at a temperature of about 250° C. or less.

Abstract: A new SONOS memory device is provided, in which a conventional planar surface of multi-dielectric layers (ONO layers) is instead formed with a curved surface such as a cylindrical shape, and included is a method for fabricating the same. A radius of curvature of the upper surface of a blocking oxide can be designed to be larger than that of the lower surface of a tunneling oxide, which restrains electrons from passing through the blocking oxide by back-tunneling on erasing. As a result, a SONOS memory device shows an improvement in erasing speed.

Abstract: A method of measuring a change in neurological and/or muscular performance of a subject may include attaching an attachment to a subject. The subject may then be directed to perform a motion. A first force imposed by the subject on the attachment and/or a first motion of the attachment is sensed. The subject's first response may then be compared to a second response to determine a change in the subject's neurological and/or muscular performance.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: A micro air vehicle having a bendable wing enabling the micro air vehicle to fly. The bendable wing may be bent downwards so that the wingspan may be reduced for storing the micro air vehicle. The bendable wing may be formed from one or more layers of material, and the wing may have a camber such that a concave surface of the wing faces downward. The wing may substantially resist flexing upwards and may transfer uplift forces to a central body of the micro air vehicle. In addition, the wing may be bent severely downwards by applying a force to tips of the wing. The micro air vehicle is capable of being stored in a small cylindrical tube and may be deployed from the tube by simply releasing the micro air vehicle from the tube.

Abstract: An anti-explosion and anti-fire system is disclosed, the system comprising an encapsulant disposed to cover high temperature surface portions of a component; a conduit in thermal connection with the encapsulant; and a heat transfer fluid disposed within the conduit. A diesel engine is disclosed for an underground mine, the engine comprising an encapsulant disposed to cover high temperature surface portions of a cylinder head; a conduit in thermal connection with the encapsulant; and a heat transfer fluid disposed within the conduit. A method for encapsulating high temperature surface portions of a cylinder head is disclosed, the method comprising positioning a conduit adjacent the head; positioning an encapsulant in thermal connection with the head and the conduit; and transferring heat from high temperature portions to prevent gasses, coal dust, fuel, oils or other combustible material in an underground mine from contacting portions at temperatures above an explosion or fire safety limit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immortalizing progenitor cells by providing a population of progenitor cells (e.g, neural progenitor cells) and immortalizing the progenitor cells either before or after they are enriched or purified. The present invention is also directed to an enriched or purified population of immortalized progenitor cells (e.g., neural progenitor cells).

Abstract: The invention includes a method of determining a control input. Such a control input may be used to dictate an input to a system, in order to bring the system from one state to another. In a method according to the invention, a set of values may be determined. The values in the set may be a solution to each of (a) a jerk parameter equation, (b) a first constraint equation and (c) a second constraint equation. The set of values may be used to determine a corresponding transfer function. The transfer function may be coupled with a filter to provide an augmented transfer function. The augmented transfer function may then be used to act upon an input signal in order to produce a control input.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for driving an AC PDP, where background luminance is reduced and the time required for a reset period is shortened while the stability and an address margin are sufficiently maintained, thus improving reset performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides RNA molecules (e.g., antisense, RNAi, or siRNA) specific for VEGF-C, and further provides methods of reducing expression of VEGF-C in cells (e.g., cancer cells).

Abstract: The invention provides AeSCP-2 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding AeSCP-2 polypeptides, and methods for producing such materials by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing AeSCP-2 polypeptides to screen for compounds exhibiting antagonist or agonist activity toward AeSCP-2 biological activity, in particular, cholesterol transport.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease or Botrytis or both. Also disclosed are grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease or Botrytis or both, wherein the plants express a cecropin B peptide Shiva-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for the production of docetaxel. Docetaxel is produced by protecting the C(7) and the C(10) hydroxy groups of 10-DAB with a bridging silicon-based protecting group. The resulting 7,10-protected 10-DAB derivative is then derivatized and deprotected to form docetaxel.

Abstract: A new process for resolution of an enantiomeric mixture of C3-hydroxyl substituted ?-lactams is disclosed. Generally, the enantiomeric mixture is treated with an optically active proline acylating agent to form a C3-ester substituted ?-lactam diastereomer or a mixture of C3-ester substituted ?-lactam diastereomers followed by selective recovery of the unreacted enantiomer or of one of the diastereomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for the production of polycyclic fused ring compounds. The polycyclic fused ring compounds are produced by protecting a polycyclic fused ring polyol with a bridging silicon-based protecting group and attaching a suitable side chain. Novel polycyclic fused ring compounds and intermediate compounds are also described.

Abstract: A method and a computer system for implementing the method for the analysis of avoidable potentially harmful incident data employing a hierarchical series of response requests in the form of a question to be answered, and one or more generic response identifiers selected from a data base of a plurality of generic response identifiers, using the one or more selected generic response identifier or identifiers to effect a selection from a data base of a further response request question which will be hierarchical to the first said response.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?-lactams. Generally, an imine is cyclocondensed with a ketene acetal or enolate to form the ?-lactam product in a “one pot” synthesis, this process is generally performed at a higher temperature than conventional processes.

Abstract: An albumin preparation may be produced efficiently on a commercial basis that has reduced possibility of contamination of infectious viruses and has high safety and stability. The process according to the present invention comprises a step of filtration of a serum albumin-containing solution with a virus-removing membrane preferably with a pore size of 10 to 20 nm. In particular, said filtration is performed before heat treatment for inactivation of viruses. In a more preferable embodiment, said serum albumin-containing solution is treated with an anion exchanger and/or a prefilter before a step of said filtration.