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

Abstract: A temperature tracking and monitoring system used for commodities transportation comprises a deliver unit, a control computer and a monitor and control unit. The deliver unit comprises a transportation means, at least a glove compartment, a RFID tag and a RFID reader. The glove compartment is disposed in the transportation device the RFID tag is disposed in the glove compartment and has provision for transmitting an identification code. The control computer is adapted to communicate with the RFID reader to receive a temperature signal and the identification code. The control computer transmits a positioning request signal, receives real-time position data, transforms the real-time position data into a position signal and transmitting the position signal, the temperature signal and the identification code in a specific manner. The monitor and control portion comprises a positioning device and a logistics center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of constructing a circular DNA library having an increased content of a desired first dsDNA by removing a second dsDNA using RecA protein to introduce a target single strand nucleic acid by homologous recombination at the 3? terminal portion of the second dsDNA, whereby the target DNA has a 3? terminal portion that differs from the 3? terminal portion of the second dsDNA to prevent circularization, thereby creating a triple stranded DNA portion at the 3? terminal end of the second dsDNA, adding Exonuclease I to digest the displaced first strand of the second dsDNA, ligating the DNA fragments to circularize the desired first dsDNA, removing the linear second dsDNA, thereby constructing the circularized DNA library having an increased content of the desired first dsDNA.

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: 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: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for transferring a patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer from a first surface, e.g., a PDMS stamp, to a second surface, e.g. fabric or a non-woven material, wherein the patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer on the first surface is brought into contact with the second surface in order to transfer the polyelectrolyte multilayer from the first surface to the second surface. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a stamp comprising a surface coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer suitable for transfer to a substrate using the aforementioned method of transferring patterned multilayers.

Abstract: The present invention describes modulator of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt proteins, exemplified by the Tribbles (TRB) family. An exemplary member of the TRB family, TRB-3, binds to Akt and inhibits its catalytic activity, in turn causing altered regulation of glucose metabolism pathways. TRB-3 expression is strongly induced in the fasting state, and upregulated in mouse models of type II, causing disruptions in insulin signaling. Accordingly, the present invention further provides compositions and methods for disrupting the interaction between such a modulator and PKB/Akt protein kinases. Also provided are methods of determining if a subject has a predisposition to impaired glucose regulation and methods for treating diabetes mellitus using invention compositions.

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: By varying only the thickness of a known material having superior magnetic characteristics to increase spin polarization without changing the chemical composition, a tunnel magnetoresistive element capable of producing a larger magnetoresistive effect is provided. The tunnel magnetoresistive element includes an underlayer (nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic metal film); an ultrathin ferromagnetic layer disposed on the underlayer; an insulating layer disposed on the ultrathin ferromagnetic layer; and a ferromagnetic electrode disposed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a microdevice having a fine capillary cavity formed as a cut portion of a very thin layer which is likely to be broken, particularly a method of manufacturing a microdevice having complicated passages formed in three dimensions with high productivity. Also, the present invention provides a multi-functional microdevice which has a fine capillary passage formed by laminating plural resin layers, fine capillary cavities piercing through the respective layers to communicate and intersect three-dimensionally with each other, a space which should serve as a reaction chamber, a diaphragm valve, and a stopper structure.

Abstract: Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences are described which relate to an EIN6 gene, a gene involved in the plant ethylene response. Plant transformation vectors and transgenic plants are described which display an altered ethylene-dependent phenotype due to altered expression of EIN6 in transformed plants.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the human IL-11 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-11 receptor proteins, methods for their production, inhibitors of binding of human IL-11 and its receptor and methods for their identification are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic hybrid composition comprising: (a) a copolymer matrix having an organic functional group; (b) an inorganic nanoparticle having an inorganic functional group on the surface of the nanoparticle; (c) a photopolymerizable monomer; (d) a photoinitiator, and (e) a photosensitizer.

Abstract: A vol-oxidizer of spent nuclear fuel, the spent nuclear fuel is injected to a reaction portion, the reaction portion is connected to a driving portion and oxidizes the spent nuclear fuel by rotating and back-rotating the spent nuclear fuel. The oxidized powder of the spent nuclear fuel is gathered in a discharge portion located in a lower portion of the reaction portion. By providing minute powder particles for recycling and a post process of the spent nuclear fuel, even though a size of an apparatus is small, processing a large amount is possible. Time required for oxidation can be reduced, and the powder is readily discharged by gravity since the apparatus is vertically configured.

Abstract: A fuel cell voltage measurement device includes a main beam provided at two sides with a transverse slot each for slidably receiving a plurality of slides therein, and a plurality of retractable probe assemblies separately mounted on the slides to move along with the slides. Therefore, the retractable probe assemblies are applicable to contact with fuel cell bipolar plates having different heights and/or thicknesses, making the voltage measurement device highly practical for use. A voltage signal collecting unit is provided on a top of the main beam for directly collecting the measured voltage signals to obtain a voltage state of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Provided are a nitride-based light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The nitride-based light emitting device has a structure in which at least an n-cladding layer, an active layer, and a p-cladding layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The light emitting device further includes an ohmic contact layer composed of a zinc (Zn)-containing oxide containing a p-type dopant formed on the p-cladding layer. The method of manufacturing the nitride-based light emitting device includes forming an ohmic contact layer composed of Zn-containing oxide containing a p-type dopant on the p-cladding layer, the ohmic contact layer being made and annealing the resultant structure. The nitride-based light emitting device and manufacturing method provide excellent I-V characteristics by improving ohmic contact with a p-cladding layer while significantly enhancing light emission efficiency of the device due to high light transmittance of a transparent electrode.

Abstract: The invention provide retailers, distributors, purchasers, end-users and others in a commercial product's distribution chain with systems and methods for product activation at a specific point in the distribution chain (such as at the point of retail sale), for product validation and/or product maintenance (for example when the product is brought in for service or maintenance) and for product authentication (for example upon resale of the product). These capabilities, when added to the basic capability of an RFID-based system to provide an identity and a location for a tag attached to an object, endow commercial products with functionalities such as theft deterrence, product tracking and inventory management, inventory control and perimeter security, product maintenance and recordkeeping of service, and for high-end commercial products, a method of easily identifying a genuine item from a counterfeit.

Abstract: The present invention is effective for causing charge separation by complexing zinc oxide crystals in different states one another when a zinc oxide semiconductor is used as an electronic element. The present invention provides a zinc oxide-based laminated structure comprising two layers of a zinc oxide or zinc oxide solid solution layer with a lattice volume of Va and a donor concentration of Na, and a zinc oxide or zinc oxide solid solution layer with a lattice volume of Vb and a donor concentration of Nb, wherein the relationships of Va<Vb and Na>Nb being satisfied between both layers of the laminated structures; and the layer with the lattice volume Va serves as a charge-supplying layer and the layer with the lattice volume Vb serves as a charge-receiving layer in the laminated structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of L-butylphthalide of formula (I) in the manufacture of medicaments for the prevention and treatment of cerebral infarct, especially induced by focal cerebral ischemia.