Abstract: A posture angle processing apparatus includes a magnetic sensor, a gravitational acceleration sensor, a position information acquisition device, and a dip angle database device wherein a correlation of the absolute location and a geomagnetic dip angle at the corresponding point is stored. Based on the absolute location of the current point, a dip angle estimation and determination device reads the geomagnetic dip angle at the current point, calculates an angle formed by a horizontal plane and the magnetic vector, compares the angle formed by the magnetic vector and the horizontal plane with the geomagnetic dip angle of the current point, and outputs either a true signal or a false signal depending on the error between the angle and the geomagnetic dip angle.

Abstract: Narrow-line holographic filters that can include a plurality of lines and that can be structured to provide a large aperture device. Materials that can be used to construct filters include glasses, photorefractive crystals such as lithium niobate and photorefractive thick polymers. The filters are fabricated by assembling a plurality of elements having the same one or more narrow line holographic filter patterns written thereon, in mutual orientation such that each element has a surface defined by a length and a width adjacent a corresponding surface of a neighboring element, and has a surface defined by a thickness and one of a length and a width accessible to impinging illumination. Filters exhibiting a plurality of characteristic narrow lines, and having arbitrarily large apertures can be fabricated. Methods of fabricating and using the filters are described.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating obesity-related disorders using ApM-1 and related proteins.

Abstract: A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The float includes a main body portion of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap between the inner wall of the sample tube and the float. One or more protrusions on the main body portion serve to support the flexible tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force causes the diameter of the flexible tube to expand and permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. The float further includes a pressure relief system to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float, thereby preventing red blood cells from being forced into the annular gap containing the buffy coat layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides of the PAPAP gene, polypeptides encoded by the PAPAP gene, and antibodies directed specifically against such polypeptides. The invention also concerns methods for the treatment or diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or related CNS disorder. The invention also concerns the interaction of PAPAP with schizophrenia candidate gene g34872.

Abstract: Glucose oxidase enzymes are provided, including novel variants of galactose oxidase enzymes. The polynucleotides that encode these novel variants can be expressed in recombinant host cell expression systems. The novel variant oxidase enzymes are capable of oxidizing compounds towards which wild-type galactose oxidase (e.g. D-galactose: oxygen 6-oxidoreductase, GAO; EC 1.1.3.9) has little or no activity. Preferred galactose oxidase variants are those which that have improved capability to oxidize secondary alcohols and/or D-glucose relative to the wild-type enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides universal transfer apparatus and method to use this universal transfer apparatus. This invention further provides a method to obtain speciation data for organometals in a complex matrix, such as cigarette smoke. Our data demonstrate that gas chromatography linked to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer with the universal transfer apparatus provides metal speciation information for samples of tobacco smoke. The organometals include lead, tin, arsenic and cadmium.

Abstract: The invention features a method of treating an inflammatory condition in an individual, comprising administering an agent that inhibits the interaction between a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and a high mobility group B (HMGB) polypeptide to the individual. The invention also features methods for identifying agents that inhibit the interaction between TLR2 and HMGB.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of novel Brønsted acidic ionic liquids each having a lactam cation, and to a method for preparing the same through simple neutralization reaction of a lactam, which is available in large scale from industry, with a Brønsted inorganic or organic acid under room temperature. The properties of the lactam Brønsted acidic ionic liquids are as follows: they are water- and moisture-stable; they are more environmentally benign and lower cost than that of dialkylimidazolium salts; they have stronger Brønsted acidity and can be used as acidic catalysts and media instead of inorganic corrosive acids, such as concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid, in many acid-catalyzed reactions; and they can also be used as green media for extraction and separation.

Abstract: Unsintered poly(tetrafluoroethylene) resin feeds are treated with ionizing radiation in an absorbed dose of no more than 1,000 Gy at room temperature in air so that only the melting temperature of the resin feeds is shifted toward the lower end without changing the quantities of heat of fusion and crystallization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of optically producing a clock, in which clock components are extracted from the spectrum of a transmitted optical signal and the influence of noise and jitter on the extracted clock components is reduced, thus improving the stability of an optical communication system. In the clock producing method of the present invention, a plurality of clock components are extracted by filtering out frequency bands between neighboring intensity peaks, and then a clock having reduced noise and jitter is produced by logically ANDing two or more of the plurality of clock components extracted at the step of extracting the plurality of clock components.

Abstract: A number of cDNA clones whose products may interact with D1 receptors in vivo were identified. One of the clones, P24, was characterized further. P24 is localized in dendrites and spines of pyramidal cells in PFC. The extent of overlap between P24 expressing and D1 receptor expressing pyramidal cells appeared to be 100%. In contrast, only a limited number D1 receptor antibody labeled neurons in caudate expressed P24. P24 lowers the threshold of D1 receptor response to dopamine (DA) by an order of magnitude. Sequence similarity suggests P24 is a diverged member of the RAMP family. The P24 protein is therefore referred to as a D1 DA RAMP, calcyon. The isolated protein and nucleotide molecule encoding the protein, as well as primers for the nucleotide, are described. The protein and compounds modifying DA binding to the receptor or calcium release which is mediated by the Calcyon, are useful in research studies, drug screening, and therapeutically.

Abstract: A method for preparing 2-aminopyridine derivatives, which comprises substituting of fluorine for hydrazine moiety and reducing with hydrogen using 3-substituted-2,5,6-trifluoropyridine as a starting material, provides 2-aminopyridine derivatives having a purity over 98% under a mild reaction condition.

Abstract: A pixel array formed on a substrate mainly including scan lines and data lines is provided. The scan lines and the data lines are essentially consisted of conductive patterns disposed at different layers and contact windows electrically connected with the conductive patterns disposed at the different layers. The scan lines and the data lines are respectively consisted of conductive patterns to prevent the scan lines and the data lines from cracking when the substrate is warped. Besides, the pixel array further includes dielectric layers having trenches therein, to divide the dielectric layers into independent dielectric patterns. Thus, the dielectric layers would not crack easily when the substrate is warped.

Abstract: A method for calculating frequency offset using arc tangent calculations according to real part and imaginary part input values received externally. The method includes converting arc tangent equations for determining frequency offset into equations to perform log calculations; calculating frequency offset using linear approximation and the converted log equations; and dividing the real part input value to bit values of a predetermined size to realize a size similar to that of the imaginary part input value if a range of the frequency offset value to be calculated is small. With the use of the method, hardware area and power consumption may be reduced, and precise frequency offset may be calculated.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic procedures wherein the presence or absence of a cell-proliferating disorder, e.g., a breast cancer, may be determined. The imaging agents of the invention include alpha-fetoprotein hydrophilic analogs which have been determined to target cancers, e.g., breast cancer, and are also anti-cell proliferating in nature. These modulators contain amino acid structures which are arranged as a hydrophilic analog of an alpha-fetoprotein. The modulator may be a peptide; a peptidomimetic; or may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable scaffold, such as a polycyclic hydrocarbon to which is attached the necessary amino acid structures. The imaging agents of the invention further comprise an imaging moiety that allows for the imaging of the area targeted by the imaging agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molecule comprising a polypeptide having substantial homology with a CTL epitope selected from the group consisting of ADLMGYIPLV (Core131-140; SEQ ID NO:1), LLALLSCLTV (Core178-187; SEQ ID NO:2), QLRRHIDLLV (SEQ ID NO:55), LLCPAGHAV (NS31169-1177; SEQ ID NO:26), KLVALGINAV (NS31406-1415; SEQ ID NO:28), SLMAFTAAV (NS41789-1797; SEQ ID NO:34), LLFNILGGWV (NS41807-1816; SEQ ID NO:35), and ILDSFDPLV (NS52252-2260; SEQ ID NO:42). Such molecules are used for the treatment and prevention of acute or chronic HCV hepatitis; suitable pharmaceutical compositions and methods using such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Functional fluoro-monomers are polymerized with an organoborane functional initiator in the presence of oxygen to yield functional fluoropolymers and copolymers to produce functional polymers having functional groups at the beginning of the polymer chain.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus with storage that measures and analyzes both stray currents from subway rails or power lines and the pipe-to-soil voltage of a buried metallic structure simultaneously is disclosed. The data measuring apparatus with storage for measuring stray currents from subway rails or power lines and the pipe-to-soil voltage of a buried metallic structure in accordance with the present invention comprises measuring means, which is a portable module that allows easy installation at one or multiple measurement points of the buried metallic structure, for measuring stray currents from the subway rails or power lines and the pipe-to-soil voltage of a buried metallic structure simultaneously and for storing and transmitting the measurement data and analytic computing means for receiving the measurement data transmitted from the measuring means and for databasing and graphically displaying the received measurement data for time-synchronous data analysis.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting variety of red raspberry, named ‘Moutere’, botanically identified as Rubus idaeus L. is described. The new variety is distinguished from others by its early season high yields of attractive, uniform sized, large, bright red berries. The plant exhibits a semi spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The fruit are suitable for consumption as early season high-grade fresh berries and are very attractive when packaged for the fresh market. In addition, the plant has displayed resistance to Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV) under New Zealand conditions.