Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for amplifying target nucleic acids (including whole genomes) using nicking agents. In certain aspects, the amplification does not require the use of any external oligonucleotide primers that are capable of annealing to a portion of the target nucleic acid. This invention is useful in many areas such as genetic disease diagnoses, forensic analyses and palcoarcheological studies.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption system using existing inductive traffic loops that is either “car-active” or “car-passive”. In the “car-active” system, a passive element having position information transmits an ID tag and the position information to a transceiver in the vehicle when an emergency vehicle is detected by the existing inductive traffic loop. In the “car-passive” system, a transceiver at the intersection is activated to send an excitation signal to a transponder on the emergency vehicle. The transponder responds with the emergency vehicle ID. The transceiver in the vehicle in the “car-active” system or the transceiver at the intersection in the “car-passive” system, transmit position information to the traffic controller to preempt operation of the traffic signals.

Abstract: A plasma processing system and method wherein a power source produces a magnetic field and an electric field, and a window disposed between the power source and an interior of a plasma chamber couples the magnetic field into the plasma chamber thereby to couple power inductively into the chamber and based thereon produce a plasma in the plasma chamber. The window can be shaped and dimensioned to control an amount of power capacitively coupled to the plasma chamber by means of the electric field so that the amount of capacitively coupled power is selected in a range from zero to a predetermined amount. Also, a tuned antenna strap having r.f. power applied thereto to produce a standing wave therein can be arranged adjacent the window to couple magnetic field from a current maximum formed in the strap to the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for spatializing text content for enhanced visual browsing and analysis. The invention is applied to large text document corpora such as digital libraries, regulations and procedures, archived reports, and the like. The text content from these sources may e transformed to a spatial representation that preserves informational characteristics from the documents. The three-dimensional representation may then be visually browsed and analyzed in ways that avoid language processing and that reduce the analysts' effort.

Abstract: A method for simply and efficiently separating substances by utilizing a specific flow behavior in a non-turbulent flow, i.e. a laminar flow, in a micro-channel is disclosed. A mixed solution containing at least two kinds of solute molecules which are different from each other in molecular weight and/or molecular sharp, or at least two kinds of solutions containing their respective solute molecules are flowed into a micro-channel to form a non-turbulent flow. A physical action is given to each molecule by changing the state of flow, thereby causing different behaviors among the different solute molecules. By utilizing this behavior difference, molecules of a specific kind are gathered in a specific region in the channel for separation.

Abstract: A method for repairing a heat recovery steam generator (HSRG) header to tube attachment damage, includes providing an access window in the header opposite the damaged header to tube attachment location; removing the header to tube attachment damage; inserting a tapered stub tube into a header penetration centered axially immediately over the tube; effecting a profile weld between the header and the tapered stub tube at the header penetration from the inside surface of the header; welding the tapered stub tube to the existing tube through the header inside diameter; welding shut the access window; and completing a post weld heat treatment of all the welds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing a disease, disorder or condition associated with a viral infection using a dosing and resting regimen for administering a pharmaceutical composition that provides ARP.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of screening for binding partners, especially binding partners essential for the biological activity of erastin (e.g. VDACs such as VDAC3). The invention also provides reagents and methods for effective killing of cancer cells with erastin and related compounds or derivatives.

Abstract: A sputtering target prepared by the butt joining of metal sheets being made of the same material, wherein an intermetallic compound in a joined portion has an average particle diameter of 60% to 130% of the average particle diameter of the intermetallic compound in a non-joined portion is provided. In the sputtering target, the average particle diameter of an intermetallic compound in a joined portion is approximately the same as that of the intermetallic compound in a non-joined portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for illuminating a subject with deep UV light and detecting 2-dimensional image information, e.g., a transmission image, fluorescence image, reflected light image, etc. The subject may be illuminated with a light pulse having a duration of 2 seconds or less and one or more components with a wavelength of between about 150 nm to about 300 nm. The light pulse may be arranged so as to minimize or eliminate any detrimental effect on the functioning of the subject, e.g., on a living cell. A concentration, mass, quantum yield, absorbance or other characteristics of one or more compounds in the subject may be determined based on one or more 2-dimensional images obtained of the subject. An illumination beam having left and right circularly polarized components may be generated, e.g., for circular dichroism analysis of a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to (organothiomethyl)chlorosilanes and methods for their preparation by the dehydrohalogenative Si—C coupling reaction of oranothiomethyl halides with Si—H containing chlorosilanes (hydrosilanes), wherein a mixture of oranothiomethyl halide and hydrosilane is heated in the presence of tertiary amine or organic salts (quaternary organoammonium and organophosphonium halides to give (organothiomethyl)chlorosilanes, which is existing a sulfur atom in alkyl chain, (formula:: R2SCH2SiCl2R1) in good yield, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen, or C1-C6 alkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl or an aryl group. Especially, this reaction using organic salt as a catalyst provide better economical matter and yield compared with conventional methods, because only catalytic amount of organic salt is required and the catalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture and recycled easily.

Abstract: Described is a switched capacitor circuit for performing an analog circuit function. Unlike conventional switched capacitor circuits employing operational amplifiers, the switched capacitor circuit uses a comparator and does not require direct feedback between the input and output of the comparator. The switched capacitor circuit includes a first and a second switched capacitance network, a comparator and a current source. The first switched capacitance network has an input terminal to receive a circuit input voltage during a first phase. The comparator has an input terminal in communication with the first switched capacitance network and an output terminal in communication with the second switched capacitance network through a switched terminal. The current source communicates with the switched capacitance networks and supplies a current to charge the networks during a second phase. The circuit can be used, for example, to provide high gain amplification in integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method of selectively growing silicon carbide is provided. The method includes forming a mask including tantalum carbide that masks a portion of a substrate, and epitaxially growing a crystal including silicon carbide seeded by an exposed surface of the substrate. A method of selectively etching silicon carbide is also provided. The method includes forming a mask including tantalum carbide that masks a portion of a substrate, and etching an exposed surface of the substrate. A method of fabricating a device is further provided that includes forming a mask including tantalum carbide that masks a portion of a first layer of the device, and epitaxially growing a second layer of the device, wherein the second layer includes a crystal including silicon carbide seeded by an exposed surface of the first layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns GENSET polynucleotides and polypeptides. Such GENSET products may be used as reagents in forensic analyses, as chromosome markers, as tissue/cell/organelle-specific markers, in the production of expression vectors. In addition, they may be used in screening and diagnosis assays for abnormal GENSET expression and/or biological activity and for screening compounds that may be used in the treatment of GENSET-related disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is an on-site treatment method of food waste generated from multi-unit dwellings and institutional food service facilities, by transporting wastewater-containing food waste to a separation chamber by use of domestic wastewater or an additional transporter; separating the transported food waste to wastewater and food waste; and treating the separated wastewater in a sewage disposal plant, and the separated food waste using disposal equipment. Such food waste can be treated even using disposal equipment of small capacities, due to separation of wastewater and food waste, compared to disposal equipment of large capacities required for treating wastewater and food waste together. Also, the quality of the separated wastewater is better than the conventional quality of wastewater, and thus loads of the sewage disposal plant can be efficiently decreased.

Abstract: A method for producing a blend comprising randomly substituted mesogens comprising: providing one or more platform molecules have the following general structure: wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y comprises one or more spacer groups; R2 is a bulky organic group whereby, when both X and Y are reacted with polymerizable groups to produce polymerizable mesogens, R2 provides sufficient steric hindrance to achieve a nematic state at room temperature while suppressing crystallinity of the polymerizable mesogens at room temperature; and, R1 and R3 are selected from groups less bulky than R2; and independently substituting at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y with a polymerizable group, thereby producing a blend of randomly substituted mesogens.

Abstract: A magnetic field enhanced photovoltaic device includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a ferro-antiferromagnetic exchange coupling layer and an applied magnetic field. The first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on two surfaces of the photoelectric conversion layer to collect electrons and holes generated by the photoelectric conversion layer. The first electrode is pervious to light. The incident light reaches the photoelectric conversion layer through the first electrode. The applied magnetic field polarizes the spin state of electrons. The ferro-antiferromagnetic exchange coupling layer adjoins the photoelectric conversion layer and pins the spin state of electrons.

Abstract: A microphotonic device is provided. The microphotonic device includes a membrane structure that can experience strain. A waveguide element is formed on the membrane structure so that when the membrane structure is strained, the waveguide element elements are tuned to a selective amount.

Abstract: Clusters of plant genes that are regulated in response to one or more stress conditions are provided, as are isolated plant stress-regulated genes, including portions thereof comprising a coding sequence or a regulatory element, and to consensus sequences comprising a plant stress-regulated regulatory element. In addition, a recombinant polynucleotide, which includes a plant stress-regulated gene, or functional portion thereof, operatively linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence, is provided, as are transgenic plants, which contain a plant stress-regulated gene or functional portion thereof that was introduced into a progenitor cell of the plant. Also provided are methods of using a plant stress-regulated gene to confer upon a plant a selective advantage to a stress condition, methods of identifying an agent that modulates the activity of a plant stress-regulated regulatory element, and methods of determining whether a plant has been exposed to a stress.

Abstract: A component for the inkjet print head and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed where photosensitive polymer is used as the substrate. Orifices and ink chambers are made on the substrate by photolithography. Conductive traces for interconnection to a print head chip are integrated to the substrate by combining photolithography and electroforming procedures.