Abstract: A method of generating pluripotent stem cells is described. The method comprises: (a) expanding human pancreatic beta cells; and subsequently (b) generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from the human pancreatic beta cells. Methods of redifferentiating the iPS cells into particular cell types are also disclosed. Uses of the cell populations are also described.

Abstract: A self cleaning inlet head for use on a shunt. The head has a tube with openings disposed in predetermined positions in its wall, and a cleaning element installed inside the tube. The cleaning element may comprise a central shaft with a number of bristles protruding therefrom, preferably in locations substantially identical to the positions of the openings in the wall of the tube. Mutual vibratory motion between the cleaning element and the tube causes at least some of the bristles to enter the openings, thereby keeping them clear, and preventing tissue growth into them. The vibratory motion may be generated by the action of an external field on a responsive part of the cleaning element, such as an external magnetic field operating on a magnetic or magnetized part of the cleaning element or the bristles. Alternatively, the external field may be an ultrasound field operating on the bristles.

Abstract: Recombinant gelonin polypeptides with decreased antigenicity are provided. Cell-targeted constructs comprising said recombinant gelonin polypeptides are also provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing, such as for treatment of cell proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer).

Abstract: An ambient-heat engine has a substantially thermally-conductive housing whose interior is divided into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a substantially gas-impermeable barrier. An ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism forms at least a portion of the barrier. First hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the high-pressure chamber and second hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the low-pressure chamber. An electrical-energy storage device connected to the ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism is operable between a charge condition and a discharge condition. In a charge condition, hydrogen atoms within the high-pressure chamber are converted to hydrogen ions and conducted through the electrical-energy-generating mechanism to the low-pressure chamber causing electrical-energy to be generated to the electrical-energy storage device.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.

Abstract: A slit-type scraper device includes: a body, a first scraper portion, a cover, a second scraper portion, an air pressure through hole and a side cover unit. The body includes a groove and a slit portion abutting against the groove. The first scraper portion is abutting against the slit portion. The cover includes a plate portion. The second scraper portion is abutting against the plate portion, wherein the position of the second scraper portion is corresponding to the first scraper portion. The air pressure through hole is disposed on the body, in communication with the groove, and adapted to connect an air pressure connection member to input air pressure. The side cover unit is adapted to form an ink storage space between the plate portion and the groove, and form an ink output slit between the slit portion and the plate portion.

Abstract: Provided are fibrin or silk matrices comprising an oxygen carrier, and matrices, which comprise an oxygen carrier and mesenchymal stem cells. Also provided are methods of generating and using same for ex vivo or in vivo tissue regeneration and/or repair such as for treating a non-union bone fracture and a condition requiring spinal fusion.

Abstract: Provided are cellulose nano-material based composite and foam articles.

Abstract: A method of generating light is disclosed. The method comprises: directing an optical pulse to a semiconductor optical amplifier being at a temperature above 0° C. The optical pulse is preferably characterized by a wavelength within an emission spectrum of the semiconductor optical amplifier and by a pulse area selected to induce Rabi oscillations in the semiconductor optical amplifier, and to emit light at a frequency of at least 1 THz.

Abstract: An autofocus method determines that a ranging device of a digital camera has failed in an attempt to provide a distance estimation. The ranging device provides one or more parameters indicating conditions related to the failure of the ranging device to provide the distance estimation. An autofocus sequence based on the one or more parameters is then performed.

Abstract: A specified proton concentration in a volume (80) is produced by passing a controlled electrophoresis current through an adjacent electrophoresis volume (28) between a working electrode (26) and a counter electrode (24). An array of such volumes with specified proton concentration is used to provide the pH gradient for isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting an ethylene response in a field crop is disclosed, comprising the step of applying to at least one portion of at least one plant of said field crop an amount of a solution of a water soluble cyclopropyl-1-enyl-propanoic acid salt (WS-CPD, Formula I) effective to produce inhibition of an ethylene response in said at least one plant, wherein M is chosen from the group consisting of Na, Li, K, and ½Ca.

Abstract: A package includes a first die and a second die. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. At least one of the first and second dies includes a plurality of signal sources, wherein each source has at least one quality of service parameter associated therewith, and a plurality of queues having a different priorities. A signal from a respective one of the signal sources is allocated to one of the plurality of queues in dependence on the at least one quality of service parameter associated with the respective signal source. The interface is configured such that signals from said queues are transported from one of said first and second dies to the other of said first and second dies.

Abstract: This invention relates to both a method and device for booting up a device and online scrubbing utilizing a system on chip appliqué sensor interface module in a Space Plug-and-Play Avionics environment that incorporates Radiation Hardened by Design components.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a first pixel and a second pixel. A first color filter provided over the first pixel is configured to pass a first color portion within and less than a visible portion of the spectrum. An infra-red color filter provided over the second pixel is configured to pass a near infra-red portion and an infra-red portion of the spectrum, but not the visible portion of the spectrum. An interference filter is provided over the first and second pixels, wherein the interference filter is configured to pass the visible portion of the spectrum and the near infra-red portion of the spectrum. The first pixel detects light sensed in the first color portion and the second pixel detects light sensed in the near infra-red portion. A processing circuit corrects the sensed first color portion as a function of the sensed near-infra-red portion.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen from natural gas, said process comprises the steps of: (i) providing an autothermal heat exchanger packed-bed membrane reformer (APBMR) comprising: (a) an elongated external gas oxidation compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed oxidation catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said external gas oxidation compartment; (b) an elongated internal gas steam-reforming compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed steam-reforming catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said internal gas steam-reforming compartment; (c) one or more hydrogen-separating membrane(s) positioned in said steam-reforming compartment substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said steam-reforming compartment; (d) one insulation layer surrounding said external compartment; and, optionally, (e) one or more elongated internal gas oxidation compartment(s) positioned in said steam-reforming compartment s

Abstract: Hydrophobic weak base compounds such as hydrophobic weak base chemotherapeutic agents (which are not an anthracycline) for use in the treatment of medical conditions such as proliferative disease or disorder in a subject, in combination with illumination of a region in a body of the subject which is characterized by the presence of proliferating cells, are disclosed. The hydrophobic weak base compound and a wavelength of illumination are selected such that the hydrophobic weak base compound acts as a therapeutically effective photosensitizer when exposed to the illumination.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to non-natural desamino alkyl amino acid compounds, methods of making these compounds, and peptides containing these compounds. In one embodiment, the peptide is neurotensin (8-13) in which the N-terminus is an alpha-desamino, alpha-methyl-N,N-dimethyl-homolysine residue of the invention.

Abstract: A method of linking to and monitoring machining devices through the cloud service enables a user to use a cloud app on the cloud to link to machining device at a specific client through a cloud service. The cloud service has API function commands for the cloud app to call and use. The client has an integrated execution module to connect to the machining device. The integrated execution module on the client links to the cloud service through a cloud connection module.