Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of carbon nanostructures, the carbon nanostructures being selected from carbon nanotubes and carbon nano-onions. The method comprises the steps of injecting a carbon-containing gas into a plasma flame generated from a plasma forming gas to provide atomic carbon, which in the presence of in situ generated nanometer sized metal catalyst particles that act as nucleation points for growth of carbon nanostructures, produce the carbon nanostructures, and collecting the carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hepatitis C virus (HCV). More particularly, the invention relates to the development of a tool suitable for the search, discovery and validation of novel HCV antiviral drugs and therapies (e.g. vaccine). The invention further relates to methods for inducing HCV replication in vitro, and more particularly to a simple in vitro replication assay of HCV which enables productive and sustained infectious HCV production.

Abstract: The present invention provides alkylphosphonate dimers and oligonucleotides prepared therefrom. The invention further provides novel methods for the preparation of these alkylphosphonate dimers. Methods for the preparation of substantially diastereomerically pure alkylphosphonate dimers are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features a novel gene encoding methionine synthase reductase. The invention also features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. The invention also features therapeutic methods for treating and/or reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or neural tube defects. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase reductase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for synchronizing clock signals in spatially distributed nodes in large, synchronous electronic, optical, optoelectronic or wireless systems, such as systems comprising arrays of microprocessors and memories, and telecommunication systems. The nodes comprise a master node and a plurality of slave nodes. The master node generates first and second identical pulse trains and propagates them to the slave nodes via a first and second propagation channels, respectively, so that a pair of pulses, one from each pulse train, arrive at each slave node substantially simultaneously, travelling in opposite directions. Each slave node generates a clock signal event in response to the substantially simultaneous arrival of each pair of pulses. The master node maintains the rate of the two pulse trains such that there are “pN” pulses in each propagation channel at any time, where “N” is the number of nodes and “p” is an integer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to stimulate reversal of a diabetic state in a patient; a method to prevent autoimmune destruction of new insulin-producing cells (pancreatic beta-cells) in a patient; a method to promote survival of the newly regenerated insulin-producing cells (pancreatic beta-cells); and an in vivo method for the induction of islet cell neogenesis and new islet formation and the prevention of autoimmune destruction of said new cells.

Abstract: Lipo Chitooligosaccharide (LCO) [NodBj-V(C18:1,Mefuc)] isolated from Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 532C was able to stimulate seed germination/seedling emergence, or in the case of potato, sprouting, of a number of crop plants representing eight distantly related plant families (Poaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceac, Malvaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae) of plants, at 25 and/or at 15° C. It also promoted sprouting potato minitubers. Other LCOs [NodRM-V(C16:2,5) and LCO from R. leguminosarum] were also shown to also display growth-promoting effects on the tested crop plants. The compositions comprising at least one LCO are shown to be effective in promoting growth under both laboratory and field conditions. The invention thus also relates to methods for promoting seed germination and/or seedling emergence and/or growth of plants comprising subjecting the seeds and/or plants to an effective amount of an agricultural composition comprising at least one LCO.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for extracting selectively a metal from a metal mixture in the gaseous phase. The method comprises heating the metal mixture to vaporize the metal; condensing the metal contaminants present in the vapor; reacting any contaminants remaining in the vapor with a reagent to precipitate the remaining contaminants, and collecting the purified metal.

Abstract: Current sources of neural stem and progenitor cells for neural transplantation are essentially inaccessible in living animals. This invention relates to neural precursor cells (stem cells, progenitor cells or a combination of both types of cells) isolated from the olfactory epithelium of mammals that can be passaged and expanded, and that will differentiate into cell types of the central nervous system (CNS), including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive neurons. These precursor cells provide an accessible source for autologous transplantation in CNS, PNS, spinal cord and other damaged tissues.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides comprising a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV, and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides, are provided. Methods for using such peptides for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features methods for diagnosing subjects at risk for or suffering from a disease or disorder, such as a psychosis. Methods are also provided for selecting a preferred therapy for a particular subject or group of subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancement of naturally occurring cytoplastic male sterility and for restoration of male fertility and uses thereof in hybrid crop production. There is also disclosed a method for restoration of male fertility to cytoplasmic male sterile plants; which comprises the steps of: a) introducing into the nucleus of a plant cell a gene construct essentially consisting of a sequence encoding a mitochondrial transit peptide fused upstream of and in frame with an edited form of a normal mitochondrial gene that is co-transcribed with an usual CMS-associated mitochondrial gene; b) selecting for plant cells that have acquired the gene construct in step a); and c) inducing regeneration of selected plant cells to produce a mature plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of gro-1 gene and to demonstrate that the gro-1 gene is involved in the control of a central physiological clock. Also disclosed are four other genes located within the same operon as the gro-1 gene.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptide fragments derived from TgAMA-1, nucleic acids that encode the polypeptide fragments, and TgAMA-binding polypeptides such as antibodies. Methods for using the polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules to produce vaccines are also provided. In addition the invention provides methods involving use of the polypeptides, nucleic acids, and binding polypeptides, such as antibodies, for the prevention and treatment of Toxoplasmosis.

Abstract: An integrated test core for mixed-signal circuits comprises a periodic waveform generator capable of generating arbitrary band-limited waveforms for excitation purposes and a waveform digitizer for extracting an arbitrary waveform from the test circuit's analog response signal. The digitized response may be tested and measured using DSP techniques. Preferably, the waveform generator and digitizer are synchronously controlled. The core is a nearly all digital implementation with the exception of a reconstruction filter (optional) for sending the test signal to the circuit under test (CUT) and the comparator for extracting the digitized waveform from the CUT's response. The periodic waveform generator may comprise a ?? modulator and, optionally, a reconstruction filter between the modulator and CUT.

Abstract: A system and device suitable for use in performing a DC parametric test on an external load is provided. The device may be configured to apply a desired voltage or current to the external load. The circuit device receives a forcing parameter signal at an input and releases at an output a signal approximating the forcing parameter signal to the external load. The circuit device includes a first circuit segment between the input and the output having a search unit, an intermediate voltage point and an internal load between the intermediate voltage point and the output. A second circuit segment connected in a feedback arrangement with the first circuit segment provides the search unit with the voltage at the output. The search unit is adapted for generating a second voltage signal on the basis of the forcing parameter signal and the first voltage signal received and to apply the second voltage signal to the intermediate voltage point.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: An efficient technique for generating accurate on-chip DC reference voltages is based on filtering a digital pulse modulated sequence in order to extract its average value encoding a DC level, A passive on-chip filter is used for simplicity with an all-digital modulator implementation. Modulation is proposed using pulse-width and preferably pulse-density modulation methods. The latter has the advantage of using a significantly smaller filter which translates into a smaller implementation and faster operational settling times. Many digital pulse modulation generators are proposed.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptide fragments derived from TgAMA-1, nucleic acids that encode the polypeptide fragments, and TgAMA-binding polypeptides such as antibodies. Methods for using the polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules to produce vaccines are also provided. In addition the invention provides methods involving use of the polypeptides, nucleic acids, and binding polypeptides, such as antibodies, for the prevention and treatment of Toxoplasmosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human proton-gated ion channel (hASIC1B) and polynucleotides which identify and encode hASIC1B. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding hASIC1B and a method for producing hASIC1B. The invention also provides for use of hASIC1B, and agonists, antibodies or antagonists specifically binding hASIC1B, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of hASIC1B. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding of hASIC1B for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of hASIC1B. The invention also provides diagnostic assays, which utilize the polynucleotides, or fragments or the complements thereof, and antibodies specifically binding hASIC1B.