Abstract: A synthetic nucleus pulposus is provided that is useful in treatment of degenerative disc disease, augmentation of a degenerate disc, and alleviation of back pain. In an embodiment the synthetic nucleus pulposus comprises hyaluronan macromolecules that have been cross-linked via dihydroxyphenyl linkages. The synthetic nucleus pulposus restores or improves the water-retention capability of the disc. A method of treating an intervertebral disc with the cross-linked hyaluronan macromolecules is also provided. A method of regenerative therapy to address loss of cells of nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc based on treatment with the cross-linked hyaluronan macromolecules and mesenchymal stem cells is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting tumor formation in a cancer patient at a site remote from sites of prior tumor formation and to a method of preventing metastases. These methods involve administering to the cancer patient an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1+ bone marrow-derived cells under conditions effective either to inhibit tumor formation in the cancer patient at a site remote from sites of prior tumor formation or to prevent metastases. Candidate compounds useful for such purposes can be screened depending on whether they bind to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1+ bone marrow-derived cells. Metastases in a cancer patient can be monitored by evaluating a patient sample for detection and quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1+ bone marrow-derived cells and comparing the level of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1+ bone marrow-derived cells to prior levels.

Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding mutant human interleukin 13 molecules showing varying specificity for the restricted (IL4 independent) IL13 receptor. The mutant hIL13 molecules include those made by substituting the amino acid residues that occur in the alpha-helix regions of native hIL13 with various other amino acid residues. Some of the mutants retain the ability to bind and cause signaling through IL13 receptors, while other mutants do not.

Abstract: This invention provides protein or polypeptide imprinted polymers with integrated emission sites (PIPIES) for detecting the presence of a protein or polypeptide analyte comprising templated sites which are specific for the analyte. At or near the templated sites are selectively placed reporter molecules. A method is also disclosed for the preparation of the PIPIES and the use of these for the detection of analytes.

Abstract: Image formation via photoinduced fluorescence changes in a polymeric medium with two-photon fluorescence readout of a multi-layer structure. Fluorophore-containing polymers, possessing one or more basic functional groups, underwent protonation in the presence of a photoinduced acid generator upon exposure to a broad-band UV light source or fast-pulsed red to near-IR laser irradiation. Solution studies demonstrated formation of monoprotonated and diprotonated species upon irradiation, each resulting in distinctly different absorption and fluorescence properties. The fluorescence of the original, neutral, fluorophore was reduced upon monoprotonation, leading to a concomitant increase in fluorescence at longer wavelengths due to the monoprotonated form, the basis for multichannel data readout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosensitive and biocompatible poly(organophosphazenes) represented by Formula 1, and a preparation method thereof: wherein R is a methyl or ethyl group; R? is selected from the group consisting of COOR, CH2COOR, CH2CH2COOR, CH2CH(CH3)2, CH2C6H5, CH(CH3)CH2CH3 and CH3; R? is selected from the group consisting of CH2COOR, CH2CH2COOR, CH2CH(CH3)2, CH2C6H5, CH(CH3)CH2CH3 and CH3; R?? is a group selected from the group consisting of CH2COOR, CH2CH2COOR and H, wherein R is the same as defined above; n is a number between from 30 to 100; x is a number selected from the integers of 3, 4, 7, 12 and 16; y is a number between from 0.5 to 1.5; a equals to 1; and b and c equal to 0 or 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a pigmented composite comprising contacting a microporous material with a tin compound to form a composite then contacting the composite with a pigment comprising an elemental metal, a metal oxide, a metal alloy, a metal salt, or a combination thereof to produce the pigmented composite. The pigmented composites described herein are useful for separating one or more analytes present in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A cell-free viral uncoating assay is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides conjugates comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide and an antigen or infectious agent. The conjugates are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response against the antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immune cells modified with a conjugate that are useful for generating or enhancing an immune response to an antigen or infectious agent. The invention also provides immunostimulatory moieties comprising an immune co-stimulatory polypeptide that are useful for stimulating an immune response. The invention also provides immunotherapy methods and methods of treating or preventing infections.

Abstract: Methods of producing xylitol comprising the oxidative decarboxylation of a reactant substrate are provided herein. The oxidative decarboxylation is performed in one of two ways. In the first, the oxidative decarboxylation is performed by an electrochemical process, preferably an anodic odixative decarboxylation of a reactant substrate. In the second, the oxidative decarboxylation of the reactant substrate is carried out by a series of oxidation-reduction chemical reactions.

Abstract: Provided are spin traps for the study of radical formation in vivo or in vitro. 5-carbamoyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (AMPO) and 2-amino-5-carbamoyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (NH2-AMPO), have the following structures, respectively: as well as salts thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an artificial ultra-lightweight aggregate having a specific gravity of 0.8-0.9 using raw sewage sludge. According to the invention, raw sewage sludge and water-free waste are mixed into a blend having a water content that allows the optimal extrusion, whereby excellent ultra-lightweight aggregate which has low water absorption rate and, low slump loss can be produced. In addition, the collective treatment of waste and the mass production of recycled products are possible without addition of a drying process for raw sewage sludge, and thus excellent ultra-lightweight aggregate can be supplied at low cost.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of biologically active chromanones are disclosed, including processes for the preparation of intermediates useful in the preparation of the biologically active chromanones. The chromanones and the intermediates disclosed herein may be useful for a variety of therapies, including the treatment of various cancers and the treatment of inflammation and inflammation related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments having a cell death-inhibitory activity, having the amino acid sequence consisting of 103 amino acid residues at the C-terminal of selenoprotein P, or having said amino acid sequence with one or several amino acid residues therein being deleted, substituted or added, or having a partial sequence of either of the above amino acid sequences, a medicament for treatment comprising said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, an antibody to said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, and a method for screening a cell death-inhibitory activity using said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments. The preferable peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments of the present invention has the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 or has a partial sequence thereof.

Abstract: A method to provide direct bonding of wires to silicon for microelectronic and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). The method includes preparing a rough “pothole” during one of the many deep etch steps already provided in MEMS fabrication. The method also includes roughening of the smooth silicon surface in and around the rough pothole and plastically deforming a ball-bond into the rough pothole, such that the interconnection will eliminate a costly metallization layer, and thereby lower fabrication expenses and allow high temperature processing.

Abstract: Provided is a wafer-scale microcolumn array using a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The microcolumn array includes a LTCC substrate having wirings and wafer-scale beam deflector arrays, which are attached to at least one side of the LTCC substrate and has an array of deflection devices deflecting electron beams. The wafer-scale microcolumn array using the LTCC substrate makes it possible to significantly increase the throughput of semiconductor wafers, simplify its manufacturing process, and lower its production cost.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and controlling the internal diameters, conical angles, and morphology of tubular carbon nano/micro structures. Different morphologies can be synthesized included but not limited to cones, straight tubes, nozzles, cone-on-tube (funnels), tube-on-cone, cone-tube-cone, n-staged structures, multijunctioned tubes, Y-junctions, dumbbell (pinched morphology) and capsules. The process is based on changing the wetting behavior of a low melting metals such as gallium, indium, and aluminum with carbon using a growth environment of different gas phase chemistries. The described carbon tubular morphologies can be synthesized using any kind of gas phase excitation such as, but not limited to, microwave excitation, hot filament excitation, thermal excitation and Radio Frequency (RF) excitations. The depositions area is only limited by the substrate area in the equipment used and not limited by the process.

Abstract: An intra-prediction coding and decoding method is provided, in which a picture to be encoded is received in coding units, each of the coding units is divided into a plurality of sub-units, an IPM is determined for each coding unit, residual data is acquired for each sub-unit of each coding unit according to the determined IPM, and information about the IPM of each coding unit and the residual data of each sub-unit of each coding unit are encoded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to forming the material represented by the following formula (1) into a layer having hexagonal crystalline structure, which is different from the orthorhombic crystalline structure of the material in bulk phase, so that the material can be used more effectively in various fields requiring multiferroic properties by obtaining multiferroic properties enhanced than the conventional multiferroic materials. RMnO3, (R=Lanthanide) . . .