Abstract: Isolated fragments of an Erwinia hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide that elicit a hypersensitive response in plants and isolated DNA molecules that encode those fragments are disclosed. Isolated fragments of hypersensitive response elicitor proteins or polypeptides, which elicit a hypersensitive response, and the isolated DNA molecules that encode them can be used to impart disease resistance to plants, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants, either by applying the hypersensitive response eliciting fragments to plants or plant seeds or by providing transgenic plants or plant seeds transformed with a DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response eliciting fragment.

Abstract: A calibration procedure is performed prior to an off-axis MR scan to measure the MRI system timing error in applying a frequency modulation waveform to the system receiver. Phase errors which otherwise occur when performing non-Cartesian scans are either prospectively reduced by offsetting the timing error or retrospectively offset by applying phase corrections to the acquired image data.

Abstract: A high-pass two-dimensional ladder network has been described for high-field MRI and credential applications. The next-to-highest eigenvalue of the network corresponds to a normal mode giving rise to B1 fields with good spatial homogeneity above the resonator plane. Other eigenvalues may also be used for specific imaging applications. In its most basic form, the ladder network is a collection of inductively coupled resonators where each element of the array is represented by at least one conducting strip having a self-inductance L, joined by a capacitor C at one or more points along each resonator. In the strong coupling limit of the inductively coupled high-pass two-dimensional ladder network resonator array, the array produces a high-frequency resonant mode that can be used to generate the traditional quadrature B1 field used in magnetic resonance imaging, and in the limit of weak or zero coupling reduces to a phased array suitable for parallel imaging applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems to perform collision detection (CD) in a communication network.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody-based Dot-ELISA assay for the rapid detection of animal viruses such as avian influenza virus. The assay includes applying a specimen suspected of containing an animal virus on a porous membrane and treating the specimen with a solution of citric acid or lactic acid and a solution containing a mucolytic agent and a detergent. The treated specimen is then contacted with a primary monoclonal antibody for detecting the virus. If present, the primary moncolonal antibody bind with an antigen of the animal virus specimen. The specimen is contacted with an anti-monoclonal antibody conjugate (secondary antibody) and incubated to facilitate binding of the antigen-bound monoclonal antibody to the conjugate. The bound conjugate and antigen-bound monoclonal antibody is contacted with a coloring reagent to allow visual detection of the presence of the animal virus in the specimen.

Abstract: A method for producing articles containing nanocrystalline microstructures, and particularly to a method of controllably producing nanocrystalline chips with a desired shape and size. The method generally entails machining a body with a cutting tool to produce polycrystalline chips having nanocrystalline microstructures while superimposing modulation on the cutting tool so as to move the cutting tool relative to the body being machined and cause instantaneous and periodic separation between the cutting tool and the body at a point of contact between the cutting tool and the body, wherein each separation between the cutting tool and the body yields a chip. In this manner, the shapes and sizes of the chips are determined at least in part by the modulation cycle, and particularly the length of time the cutting tool is engaged with the body being machined.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis comprises a prosthetic trunk comprising a trunk lumen extending therethrough, a wall, an anastomosis in the wall, and a first fenestration in the wall, wherein the prosthetic trunk has a circumference. The endoluminal prosthesis further comprises a prosthetic branch comprising a branch lumen extending therethrough. The branch lumen is in fluid communication with the trunk lumen through the anastomosis. The prosthetic branch is disposed longitudinally along and circumferentially about the prosthetic trunk.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. The ?-conotoxins, as described herein, are useful for as neuromuscular blocking agents, such as muscle relaxants.

Abstract: A method for controlling and manipulating solidification of a molten material includes generating a gradient pattern on at least a portion of a substrate and depositing the molten material on at least a portion of the substrate with the gradient pattern.

Abstract: Methods and uses are described for treating or preventing diseases of humans or non-human animals by reducing the amount of active leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in those in need of such treatment using LTB4 hydroxylases. In certain embodiments, LTB4 hydroxylase is administered in combination with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and/or an NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The invention is particularly useful for treating or preventing respiratory diseases that are caused or exacerbated by inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides the discovery of a new Streptococcus protective antigen (herein designated Spa) which has been identified and isolated from Streptococci. Spa is a surface antigen distinct from M protein which evokes opsonic antibodies that are protective against multiple serotypes of streptococci. The invention further provides isolated Spa polypeptides, proteins, peptides, and antibodies against the same, as well as nucleic acids encoding Spa polypeptide and peptide antigens. Also provided are methods for identification and isolation of a Spa polypeptide, therapeutic compositions comprised of Spa antigens or antibodies and methods of their use in protecting an animal against a Streptococcus infection.

Abstract: This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of avians in order to express the exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the avians or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic avians are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts and which deposit exogenous proteins into their eggs. Avian eggs that contain exogenous proteins are encompassed by this invention. The instant invention further provides novel forms of interferon and erythropoietin which are efficiently expressed in the oviduct of transgenic avians and deposited into avian eggs.

Abstract: Improved methods for the extraction or dissolution of metals, metalloids or their oxides, especially lanthanides, actinides, uranium or their oxides, into supercritical solvents containing an extractant are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments specifically include enhancing the extraction or dissolution efficiency with ultrasound. The present methods allow the direct, efficient dissolution of UO2 or other uranium oxides without generating any waste stream or by-products.

Abstract: A snapshot backscatter radiography (SBR) system and related method includes at least one penetrating radiation source, and at least one substantially transmissive radiation detector. The substantially transmissive radiation detector is interposed between an object region to be interrogated and the radiation source. The substantially transmissive radiation detector receives and detects forward radiation from the radiation source before transmitting a portion thereof to interrogate the object region, wherein a portion of backscattered radiation provided by the object region is detected by the detector. A changeable collimating grid having a plurality of spaced apart radiation absorbing features is coupled to structure changing a position of the plurality of features and is disposed in at least one of the path of the forward radiation and the path of the backscattered radiation.

Abstract: A system for detecting defects in paint coatings includes a temperature manipulation apparatus configured to change the temperature of a surface and a coating applied to the surface. The system may further include an infrared sensor for measuring the change in temperature of the surface and coating and a processor to compare the measured change in temperature of the surface and coating to an expected change of temperature in order to determine anomalies in the coatings.

Abstract: Polypeptides whose expression is upregulated in liver tumor cells and cells from liver preneoplastic foci relative to expression in normal liver cells are disclosed as are polynucleotides that encode the polypeptides. In humans, the polynucleotide maps to a region of chromosome 15. The overexpression has also been confirmed in human liver, breast, colon and kidney cancer cell lines. It is believed that the polypeptides are overexpressed in tumor and preneoplastic cells in general.

Abstract: In an A/D converter having a single flux quantum circuit having a flux quantum as an information carrier, a superconducting amplifier circuit driven by an AC current, and a semiconductor circuit, the operations of the circuits are synchronized with each other and a data signal from the single flux quantum circuit is transmitted to the semiconductor circuit. An AC current as the power source of a superconducting amplifier circuit is inputted as a master clock signal to the single flux quantum circuit and the semiconductor circuit to synchronize the operations of the circuits with the master clock signal. The single flux quantum circuit has a clock signal frequency multiplier circuit, a demultiplexing circuit and a memory circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an androgen receptor alkylating compound, wherein the compound may include, inter alia, an active functional group, which permits the alkylation of the androgen receptor.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for simulating a pneumatic system. The method can include dividing a pneumatic system into logical component sections. Each of the logical component sections can be visually rendered in a graphical user interface. Also, user modification of control element settings in the logical component sections can be permitted. Subsequently, gas flows within the logical component sections can be animated using individually rendered gas molecule icons coupled to corresponding animation scripts. Each of the scripts can determine an animation direction and animation rate for a corresponding one of the gas molecule icons. In particular, the actual pneumatic system can be an anesthesia machine.

Abstract: A circuit includes a latch circuit including a Josephson junction and configured to perform a latch operation based on a hysteresis characteristic in response to a single flux quantum, a load circuit including load inductance and load resistance and coupled to an output of the latch circuit, and a reset circuit provided between the output of the latch circuit and the load circuit and configured to reset the latch circuit a predetermined time after the latch operation by the latch circuit, wherein the Josephson junction is driven by a direct current.