Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: Purified BMP-2 and BMP-4 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair.

Abstract: An antireflective coating composition including a polyester and/or a polyurethane; and a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of tetraamidomethyl ethers.

Abstract: Provides is a screwdriver-and-nut wrench-combined tuning tool for radio frequency filter which is capable of preventing a movement of a tuning screw occurred when locking it with a tuning nut by making their combined body, preventing a difficulty of tuning resulted due to a separate use of a screwdriver and a nut wrench when a space for access to a tuning unit is not sufficient, and minimizing an interruption of turns of the tuning screw and the tuning nut by locking or turning the screwdriver and the nut wrench independently. The screwdriver-and-nut wrench-combined tuning tool for radio frequency filter comprises a case, a nut wrench positioned to rotate inside the case for turning or holding a tuning nut, a screwdriver positioned to rotate inside the nut wrench for turning or holding a tuning screw, a nut wrench locking unit that is fitted to the nut wrench or the case for locking the nut wrench; and a screwdriver locking unitthat is fitted to the case for locking the screwdriver.

Abstract: DNA encoding core+1 polypeptides of hepatitis C virus (HCV), nucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for using the nucleotides and the encoded polypeptides are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for making glycoproteins, both in vitro and in vivo, are provided. One method involves incorporating an unnatural amino acid into a protein and attaching one or more saccharide moieties to the unnatural amino acid. Another method involves incorporating an unnatural amino acid that includes a saccharide moiety into a protein. Proteins made by both methods can be further modified with additional sugars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating ultra-fine grain cermet alloys with a homogenous solid solution grain structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of fabricating an ultra-fine TiC-base cermet alloy with a homogenous solid solution structure which does not comprise a core-rim structure in the carbide grain. The object of the present invention is to provide a method of fabricating a TiC-base cermet alloy without the core-rim structure. The above objects of the present invention could be achieved by employing a conventional sintering process (vacuum sintering) of (Ti,TM)C carbide obtained from a mechano-chemical synthesis (high energy ball-milling) from milling the powders of Ti, TM, Ni and Co metals.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a novel LTC4 receptor has been isolated. Provision of the novel protein, an LTC4 receptor, enabled binding experiments using the LTC4. By screening for compounds that modulate LTC4 receptor activity based on these binding experiments, development of drugs targeting the LTC4 receptor becomes possible.

Abstract: A capacitive RF switch and DC RF switch include a fixed electrode having a thin layer of metal and at least one pull-down electrode. A moving plate has a plurality of corrugations and a selective finger design. The capacitive switch includes a selective finger that comes into contact with the fixed electrode so as to minimize the stiction between the moving plate and the fixed electrode when the switch is closed. The DC switch comprises a plurality of dimples that are formed on the selective portion of the moving plate and are positioned to come into contact with the fixed electrode when the switch is closed so as to increase the contact force and lower the resistance between the moving plate and fixed electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme having novel N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (OMGnT) activity, a polynucleotide encoding the enzyme, a recombinant polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide, a host cell comprising the recombinant polynucleotide, a method for producing an enzyme protein having OMGnT activity by culturing the host cell in a medium, and a method for modifying a sugar chain structure with the enzyme and a carbohydrate having a sugar chain structure modified by the method. This enzyme enables the production of complex carbohydrates, which could not be formed with conventional glycosyltransferases.

Abstract: An apparatus selectively generates a disturbance in a three-phase supply voltage provided to a load. The apparatus includes input connections for receiving a first phase voltage, a second phase voltage and a third phase voltage of the three-phase supply voltage. The apparatus includes a voltage disturbance generator for selectively adjusting the amplitudes of the first, second and third phase voltages according to a first test method, a second test method or a third test method. Output connections are provided for connecting to the load to provide the load the first, second and third phase voltages as altered according to the first, second or third test method. In the first test method, a phase-to-phase voltage disturbance is introduced between the first and second phase voltages by altering the amplitude of the first phase voltage against the second phase voltage.

Abstract: A collaborative client-server system having performance reliability improvement (PRIM) includes collaboration techniques for sharing server data among two or more servers, each server coupled to one or more client computers. A communication link between a client computer and a server is handed off to another respective one of the two or more servers under a variety of conditions. Hand off conditions include, congestion of the server processing load, congestion of the communication link between the client computer and the server, and loss of data signal integrity between the client computer and the server.

Abstract: The invention proposes a low dropout voltage regulator, including a feedback circuit, an operational amplifier, a transconductor, a current mirror, and a power transistor. The feedback circuit provides a voltage according to a current provided by the power transistor. An invert-phase input terminal of the operational amplifier is coupled with the feedback circuit, and the positive-phase input terminal of the operational amplifier receives a reference voltage. The transconductor is coupled to an output terminal of the operational amplifier, and controls the current, which is fed to the transconductor from the current mirror, according to the output voltage from the operational amplifier. The current mirror is coupled with the transconductor and drives the power transistor. The power transistor is coupled between the current mirror and the feedback circuit, so as to provide current to the feedback circuit.

Abstract: System and method of simulating mobile communication by means of local area network are provided. After reset of simulation mobile station, the simulated mobile station is initialized for fetching a dynamic IP address from a simulated base station controller. It is determined whether there exists a simulated base station by receiving a broadcasting packet of the simulated base station. If yes, the simulated mobile station requests the simulated base station controller to obtain the dynamic IP address and establish a channel, and the simulated mobile station performs a certification procedure on the simulated base station. If the certification procedure is successful, the simulation mobile station enters into a link state for simulating mobile communication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for counting or measuring the relative positions of a number of resonant tag elements in proximity to each other. By measuring the resonant frequency of a given set of tags using a reader antenna and comparing the measured frequency to a reference resonant frequency, the observed frequency shift is used to ascertain certain properties of the set of tags, such as the number of tags present or the relative positions thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting DNA damage in a tissue sample involves contacting an immobilized biological sample with a labeled ligand which binds to human 53Bp1, and examining the immobilized sample for the presence of a label generated-detectable signal concentrated in foci in said sample. The presence of concentrated foci is indicative of DNA damage and the presence of diffuse signal is indicative of a normal sample. Diagnostic reagents contain a ligand that binds to human 53Bp1 associated with a detectable label. Diagnostic kits for detecting DNA damage in a biological sample contain such diagnostic reagents and signal detection components. Compositions that inhibit or antagonize the biological activity of 53Bp1 are identified by suitable assays, and are employed in methods of retarding the growth of a cancer cell.

Abstract: A method for assembling and integrating microstructures (pills) onto a substrate. A plurality of patterned recesses are formed on the substrates, the recesses having transverse cross-sections and openings of specific shapes. A hard magnetic layer is deposited at the bottom of each said recess. A guide is positioned over the substrate, the guide having patterned hole shapes matching the shapes of the openings to the patterned recesses with which the holes mate. A collection of the pills is placed atop the guide. The said collection includes members with cross-sections matching the shapes of the openings to the recesses, and each pill is coated at one end with a soft magnetic layer. A moving magnetic field is applied to the collection of pills to agitate the pills, and effect a magnetic attraction between the layers at the ends of the pills and the soft magnetic layer at the bottom of the recesses.

Abstract: A luminaire with reflector of negative focal length is disclosed, which comprises a light source and a luminaire screen having a reflector of negative focal length, a side screen and a plate; wherein the reflector of negative focal length is capable of reflecting the upward-incident rays emitted from the light source; and the side screen is capable of reflecting the sideward-incident rays emitted from the light source and the reflected rays of the reflector; and the plate being disposed at the lower portion of the luminaire screen beneath the light source has a plurality of micro-structures arranged thereon and is capable of accepting the rays of the downward incident area along with both the reflected rays of the reflector and the side screen so as to diffuse the same for discharging.