Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from hop (Humulus lupulus) have been isolated and characterized wherein said nucleic acid molecules encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity Expression or over-expression of said nucleic acid molecules alters the level of terpenophenolic compounds The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce terpenophenolic compounds (e g, prenylated acylphloroglucmols and prenylflavonoids) such as prenyl-PIVP, prenyl-PIBP, humulone, lupulone, desmethylxanthohumol and xanthohumol.

Abstract: Flexible electrodes comprising: a fabric substrate; a conductive polymer, copolymer or mixture of conductive polymers comprising a first component which has high specific electrochemical capacitance, and a second component which has a lower electrochemical capacitance, lower molecular density, and greater electrical conductivity compared to the first component; and a counterion stable to lithium are described. The first component may be a polymer such as polyaniline or polypyrrole, and second component may be a polymer such as polythiophene or polyEDOT. Copolymers, and polymers formed from co-monomer of these monomer units are also described. The electrodes are used in flexible devices such as flexible energy storage devices.

Abstract: It is disclosed here that synaptotagmin I (syt I) and synaptotagmin II (syt II) are the cellular receptors for botulinum neurotoxin B (BoNT/B) that mediate the cellular entry and toxicity of BoNT/B. The BoNT/B binding domains of syt I and II are also disclosed. While syt I needs gangliosides for BoNT/B binding, syt II can bind to BoNT/B in the absence of gangliosides. Various nucleic acids and polypeptides that relate to the BoNT/B binding domain of syt I or II are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of reducing BoNT/B toxicity, methods of identifying agents that can block the binding between BoNT/B and syt I or II, methods of identifying agents that can bind to the BoNT/B binding domain of syt I or II, methods of detecting BoNT/B or Clostridium botulinum and kits for use thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for merging and mixing at least two separate and distinct fluid drops on a substrate, includes a drop merging area on the surface, where a first magnetic material is placed at a first location. A first drop of fluid is then placed at the first location on the surface, resulting in the first magnetic material being at least partially positioned within the first drop of fluid. A second drop of fluid is then placed at a second location on the surface of the drop merging area. A magnetic field is applied by a varying magnetic field generator to at least a portion of the drop merge area of the substrate, which includes at least the first location on the substrate. The varying magnetic field will act on the first magnetic material to move the first magnetic material within the first drop of fluid, causing a stirring of the fluid. A drop merging force from a drop merging mechanism is applied to at least one of the first drop of fluid and the second drop of fluid within the drop merge area.

Abstract: High-strength porous carbon and a method of its manufacture are described for multifunctional applications, such as ballistic protection, structural components, ultracapacitor electrodes, gas storage, and radiation shielding. The carbon is produced from a polymer precursor via carbonization, and optionally by surface activation and post-treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resource allocation method of a base station. The method includes generating a packet data unit that includes a first field and a downlink control message, wherein the first field indicates whether unsolicited resource is to be allocated for an uplink control message, transmitting the generated packet data unit to the terminal, allocating resources for the uplink control message, and transmitting the allocated resources to the terminal.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (II) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R7 and X are as defined in the description, and the use of these compounds in therapy, in particular in treating cancer or as an inhibitor of the interaction of the MDM2 protein with p53.

Abstract: MCH-1 receptor antagonists are disclosed having the general formula These compounds are used in the treatment of various disorders, including obesity, anxiety, depression, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and psychiatric disorders. Methods of making these compounds are also described in the present invention.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) iterative receiver detects a soft log likelihood ratio value from a signal outputted from a transmitter and decodes the detected soft log likelihood ratio value in order to extract a hard value and a soft value from the detected soft log likelihood ratio value. After whether or not a CRC of the hard value is acknowledged is determined, a CRC of a data burst is determined or iteration of signal demodulation of the MIMO iterative receiver is determined by feeding back the soft value or a CRC of data is performed assembling signals of the burst unit in accordance with the determination result.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical-mechanical complex sensor for nanomaterials, including: a detector having a piezoelectric film therein, for measuring a mechanical property of a nanomaterial when a bending or tensile load is applied to the nanomaterial; a first detection film formed at an end of the detector to measure the mechanical property and an electrical property of the nanomaterial) in real time at the same time, when the nanomaterial contacts the first detection film; and a support to which one end of the detector is integrally connected, for supporting the detector.

Abstract: There are provided an infrared absorbing thin film that efficiently absorbs infrared rays and has good versatility by controlling the absorption intensity of titanium oxide in an infrared region and a method for producing the infrared absorbing thin film. The infrared absorbing thin film containing a rutile-type titanium oxide crystal.

Abstract: A method of creating a non-invasive predictor of both physiologic and imposed patient effort from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using an adaptive mathematical model. The patient effort is commonly measured via work of breathing, power of breathing, or pressure-time product of esophageal pressure and is important for properly adjusting ventilatory support for spontaneously breathing patients. The method of calculating this non-invasive predictor is based on linear or nonlinear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.

Abstract: A memory device providing signals indicating when refresh operations are complete. The signals from a number of memory devices can be combined, such as by Oring, to provide a refresh complete signal to a power management controller. Dynamic factors can affect the refresh operation and the memory may be refreshed without restoring the entire system to a high power state. The time required to perform a refresh operation can be determined dynamically, allowing the system to be returned to a low power state as soon as refresh is complete. Ambient temperatures can be monitored to dynamically determine when to perform a refresh operation.

Abstract: A method for vibration damping and shape control of a suspended metal strip is provided. The method includes the steps of: measuring distance to the metal strip by a plurality of non-contact sensors, providing distance measurements; generating a deflection profile based on the distance measurements; decomposing the deflection profile to a number of base shapes; and controlling the deflection profile by a plurality of non-contact actuators. The step of controlling includes providing for each of the base shapes a corresponding combination of force profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a sweetpotato SRD1 cDNA, a plant transformation vector carrying the same, and a transgenic plant comprising the vector. The thickening growth of storage roots of the transgenic sweetpotato prepared using the SRD1 cDNA is stimulated, increasing the number of storage roots by up to two times. Therefore, SRD1 according to the present subject matter is useful in the generation of transgenic root crops with high-numbered storage roots or early-maturing storage root plants.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a transducer is provided. The transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed over the first electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode form respective capacitive electrodes of a capacitor, the second electrode comprising a core portion and a peripheral portion, a third electrode disposed relative to the second electrode such that the third electrode overlaps with the peripheral portion of the second electrode, and a piezoelectric element disposed between the peripheral portion of the second electrode and the third electrode, so as to tune a tensional force provided by the piezoelectric element onto the second electrode by varying a piezoelectric voltage applied between the second electrode and the third electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an expression vector for gene therapy having a novel combination of transcriptional regulatory elements, including a promoter, an enhancer, an intron, an untranslated region (UTR) and a locus control region (LCR). The expression vector enables sustained expression of a liver tissue-specific gene, and thus, can be effectively used for treating thrombosis, hemophilia, liver cancer, etc.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating the surface of high aspect ratio nanostructures to help protect the delicate nanostructures during some of the rigorous processing involved in fabrication of semiconductor devices. A wafer containing high aspect ratio nanostructures is treated to make the surfaces of the nanostructures more hydrophobic. The treatment may include the application of a primer that chemically alters the surfaces of the nanostructures preventing them from getting damaged during subsequent wet clean processes. The wafer may then be further processed, for example a wet cleaning process followed by a drying process. The increased hydrophobicity of the nanostructures helps to reduce or prevent collapse of the nanostructures.

Abstract: An access point allocates a resource for ranging to an access terminal included therein, and receives a ranging channel that includes an identifier of the access terminal and a plurality of pilots. The AP checks the access terminal by using the received identifier, and measures a round trip delay of the access terminal based on the received pilots.

Abstract: A system and method for confocal imaging of tissue in vivo and in situ, e.g., for minimally invasive diagnosis of patients. A catheter is provided that has a dye carrier coupled to the distal end of a fiber optics bundle, which allows for the introduction of at least one fluorescent dye therein the dye carrier into a portion of the tissue of interest of a subject or patient when the dye carrier is selectively brought into contact with the portion of the tissue of interest. The resulting confocal images permit the acquisition of diagnostic information on the progression of diseases at cellular/tissue level in patients. Furthermore, a system for ECG-triggered image acquisition is provided.