Abstract: A method for fabricating metal glasses in bulk form uses electrodeposition. Careful control is maintained of: (i) bath chemistry, (ii) deposition temperature; and (iii) electrical plating conditions, such as the current density, for an extended period of time, such as six hours. Composition of electrodeposition liquid is closely controlled, and adjusted when it differs from desired. Monitoring can be active, as by spectrophotometric analysis, or by comparison of time to a calibration table. A dissolving anode can replenish depleted components. Temperature of the liquid is typically maintained within ±2° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified methods of producing human hepatocyte-like cells which exhibit phenotypes more similar to those of human hepatocytes. The present invention also provides the human hepatocyte-like cells and uses thereof. The methods of the present invention comprises a prolonged incubation period and addition of dexamethasone to the culture medium. The methods of the inventors produce human hepatocyte-like cells whose morphology is more similar to that of human hepatocytes, compared with the conventional system. The cells produced have both morphological and functional features of primary culture cells from normal human liver, including cytochrome P450 (CYP), multi-drug resistance-associated protein (MRP), and multi-drug protein (MDR).

Abstract: The present invention concerns, in particular, human flavin-containing monooxygenase 2 (hFMO2), and another human enzyme of the FMO, hFMOx family, their nucleotide and polypeptide sequences. The present invention also concerns vectors for cloning and/or expression containing said nucleotide sequences and cells transformed by these vectors and method for preparing said polypeptides. The invention further concerns methods for selecting compounds and of diagnosing predisposition to pathologies and/or deficiencies related to FMO's and pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds for treating and/or preventing these pathologies.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device that uses a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate having p type, n type impurity semiconductor regions formed by ion implantation, the electrical characteristics of the end semiconductor device can be improved by decreasing the roughness of the silicon carbide semiconductor substrate surface. The semiconductor device of this invention is a Schottky barrier diode or a p-n type diode comprising at least one of a p type semiconductor region and n type semiconductor region selectively formed in a silicon carbide semiconductor region having an outermost surface layer surface that is a (000-1) surface or a surface inclined at an angle to the (000-1) surface, and a metal electrode formed on the outermost surface layer surface, that controls a direction in which electric current flows in a direction perpendicular to the outermost surface layer surface from application of a voltage to the metal electrode.

Abstract: Analogs of SRIF which are selective for SSTR1 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors. These analogs are useful in determining the tissue and cellular expression of the receptor SSTR1 and its biological role in the endocrine, exocrine and nervous system, as well as in regulating tumor growth. SRIF analog peptides, such as des-AA1,2,5[D-Trp8, IAmp9, Tyr11]-SRIF and counterparts incorporating Cbm at the N-terminus, as well as radioiodinated versions thereof, inhibit the binding of a universal SRIF radioligand to the cloned human receptor SSTR1, but they do not bind with significant affinity to human SSTR2, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5. By incorporating an iodinated tyrosine in position-2 or in position-11 in these SSTR1-selective SRIF analogs, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a system for suppressing a wear due to a friction of a friction system between two objects, particularly suppressing a wear due to a friction between a cylinder and a piston in an internal combustion engine to the minimum, increasing are liability of the internal combustion engine to the maximum, and extending an interval of an overhaul to the maximum. The system is characterized in that an insoluble content is regulated in correspondence to the maximum rotation speed of a relative motion so as to be within a range of a specific optimum percentage content with respect to a lubricating oil so as to be contained, and is maintained, in a friction system in which the lubricating oil is interposed between two objects for the purpose of suppressing a wear due to a friction of a friction surface in a contact periodical relative motion between the two objects.

Abstract: A non-human mammalian model of an autoimmune disorder co-expresses a major histocompatibility (MHC) class II-restricted T cell receptor (TCR) and a selected peptide that binds to the TCR. The selected peptide is selectively expressed by MHC class II positive antigen presenting cells (APC) of the mammal. Models with high penetrance of disease are those in which the selected peptide is a MHC class II-restricted T cell determinant that specifically binds with high affinity to the TCR. Models with low penetrance of disease are those in which the selected peptide binds with low affinity to the TCR. These models, which may be transgenic mammals, are used in method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic markers and targets characteristic of an autoimmune disorder.

Abstract: The electrode carbon material of the present invention is an electrode carbon material to become a constituent material for an electrode of a nonaqueous electrolyte battery, wherein the electrode carbon material is formed by way of a plasma processing step of subjecting a material composition to high-frequency thermal plasma processing in a plasma gas atmosphere including a sulfur-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention provides caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and specific antibodies. Also provided are screening methods for identifying CARD-associated polypeptides (CAPs), and for identifying agents that alter the association of a CARD-containing polypeptide with itself or with a CAP. Further provided are methods of altering a biochemical process modulated by a CARD-containing polypeptide, and methods of diagnosing a pathology characterized by an increased or decreased level of a CARD-containing polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a novel principle of blazing that is effective even in the resonance domain. In the invention, light (51) is made incident on a diffraction grating so that specular resonance can occur in two or more light scattering units including, for example, bispheres (11a, 21a; 12a, 22a), and by the specular resonance, a fraction of diffracted light 52 that is diffracted by the first layer (1) and the second layer (2) is selectively enhanced. According to the invention, it also becomes possible to tune a blazing condition by a control signal from outside.

Abstract: An isolated 16S rDNA having a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The invention also relates to an RNA or DNA probe with a length ranging from 10 to 50 bases which comprises at least one nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, and 4; and wherein the probe is hybridizable specifically with a petroleum-degrading bacterium belonging to the genus Cycloclasticus. The invention also relates to isolated 16S rDNA useful for detecting and screening for petroleum-degrading bacteria.

Abstract: A tiny power-assembly device driven by rotatory molecular motors are disclosed. The molecular motor power-supplying device includes multiple connecting members, multiple upper rotating arms, multiple lower rotating arms and multiple rotatory molecular motors. The F1-ATPase is optioned as the sample molecular motor of this device and is located between the upper rotating arm and the lower rotating arm. Each molecular motor is connected with a lower rotating arm through the ?, ? subunits and connected with a lower rotating arm by the ? subunit. The molecular motor power-supplying device can be driven to shorter (connecting members closely) or longer (connecting members separated far away) by the accumulated driving forces from the rotatory molecular motors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in the non-surgical removal of localized fat deposits in patients in need thereof using pharmacologically active detergents are disclosed. The pharmacologically active detergent compositions can additionally include anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, dispersion agents and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients but do not contain phosphotidylcholine. The pharmacologically active detergent compositions are useful for treating localized accumulations of fat including lower eyelid fat herniation, lipodystrophy and fat deposits associated with cellulite and do not require surgical procedures such as liposuction.

Abstract: An equivalent circuit for a coil incorporated in a circuit simulator is a model of an equivalent circuit for a coil included in a circuit simulator for analysis of an electrical device including a coil forming a magnetic circuit. The equivalent circuit of a coil included in an electric motor or other electrical device is preferably comprised of a resistance component (R), induced voltage component (?d?/dt), and inductance component (L). The equivalent circuit of the inductance component is provided with a current source, a voltage extractor for extracting the voltage across the terminals of this current source, a current generator for determining the value of the current of the current source based on the value of the voltage output by this voltage extractor, and a current-carrying path connected in parallel to the current source and carrying a regenerative current at the time of off operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the downregulation of surface receptor CCR5 expression through manipulation of the cell cycle in activated lymphocytes by administering a composition that arrests the G1 phase of the cell cycle, thereby reducing receptor sites for entry of HIV into T cells, and thus, the effects of HIV. Further, compositions are disclosed that include at least one G1 phase arresting agent and at least one antiviral agent, wherein the combination of agents synergistically enhances the activity of the antiviral agent.

Abstract: A microbearing device includes at least one inner bearing structure, at least one outer bearing structure, and one or more fasteners. Each of the one or more fasteners is connected between the inner bearing structure and the outer bearing structure and the inner bearing structure is substantially elastic.

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: The invention relates to a non-invasive apparatus system for monitoring drug hepatotoxicity, and its uses in monitoring drug-induced hepatotoxicity and abnormal liver function.

Abstract: A patch-type extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric fiber optic sensor and a real-time structural vibration monitoring method using the same are disclosed. The patch-type extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric fiber optic sensor is provided by combining the existing EFPI (Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer) fiber optic sensor with a direction-detecting sensor which can acquire direction information of a strain of a structure, which can solve a signal distortion problem occurring in the existing EFPI fiber optic sensor through a simple signal process. The patch-type extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric fiber optic sensor includes a piezoelectric material which can apply a control force to the existing EFPI fiber optic sensor, and a self-sensing bridge circuit for extracting the direction information when the piezoelectric material is used as an actuator, so that the sensible range of strain can be extended and the piezoelectric material can directly be used as the actuator based on the sensed signal.

Abstract: A method and system for providing data representing crankshaft position. For each rising edge of the crankshaft signal, a position value and a factor value are stored in a look-up table. Cam and crankshaft signals are used to locate an initial crankshaft position. This initial position value is used as a pointer to the look-up table, and incremented with each rising pulse of the crankshaft signal. Data from the table is used to extrapolate crankshaft position from crankshaft signal values to a desired resolution in degree angle units.