Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called Fibroblast Growth Factor 15, and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises injecting a heated injection fluid composition into the formation. The heated injection fluid composition comprises at least steam and/or hot water (“W”) and a solvent (“S”) into the formation. Suitable solvents include C1 to C30 hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and combinations thereof. The heated injection fluid composition has a first W to S volume ratio, (W:S)1, greater than or equal to about 5:1. The W to S volume ratio is subsequently reduced, at least once, to a different W to S volume ratio, (W:S)n, wherein at least one (W:S)n is less than (W:S)1 and each (W:S)n is greater than or equal to about 1.5:1 and n is in the range of from about 2 to about 12,000.

Abstract: A log-time stitching system provides for directly determining an accurate pixel exposure for each pixel in a recorded image. The present invention provides a digital processing system in which signals associated with a pixel are obtained at each of a plurality of different development times of the film being developed. A regression analysis that compares these different development times versus the natural log of time is made, to obtain a best fit line of this data, which line is then used to determine a “b” value. This “b” value or “fitting constant” corresponds to the intersection of the y-intercept and the best fit line. It has been discovered that this “b” value is substantially directly proportional to the log exposure of the pixel. Accordingly, this “b” value can be directly used to determine an appropriate exposure of the pixel.

Abstract: Openings in a mammalian body made by any medical procedure or non-medical event are sealed with a bioabsorbable plug or sewn with a bioabsorbable suture. In one exemplary embodiment, the plug in dehydrated, unexpanded condition is pushed by a pushing device through the lumen of a needle until a first part of the plug is external to the opening and a second part is internal to the opening. The needle is then withdrawn while the position of the pushing device is maintained. The pushing device is then withdrawn, leaving the plug in sealing relation to the opening. The body's moisture causes the plug to expand to complete the sealing of the opening, or the expansion may be caused by exposure to air, light, or other stimulant. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. The plug seals the flow of liquid or gaseous biological fluids.

Abstract: A method and device to predict ovulation in a female human by measuring changes in the concentration of a number of ions in eccrine sweat is disclosed. The concentration, or changes in concentration, of one or more ions are determined throughout the day and analyzed against predetermined patterns in order to predict ovulation one to five days in advance. This permits the user to more accurately determine commencement of the fertile phase, which for female humans is generally considered to be about four days prior to ovulation to one day after ovulation. The concentration of the ions measured include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−). To further increase the accuracy of the reading, a large number of readings can be obtained throughout a day and statistically analyzed to determine the change over time. In addition, the concentration of two or more ions can be obtained to increase accuracy.

Abstract: A process for producing a small-sized, lipid-based cochleate. Cochleates are derived from liposomes which are suspended in an aqueous two-phase polymer solution, enabling the differential partitioning of polar molecule based-structures by phase separation. The liposome-containing two-phase polymer solution, treated with positively charged molecules such as Ca2+ or Zn2+, forms a cochleate precipitate of a particle size less than one micron. The process may be used to produce cochleates containing biologically relevant molecules.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the conversion of a phenol substrate to a product by a peroxidase enzyme comprises the steps of reacting a conjugate comprising a detectably labeled phenol with a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of an enhancing reagent, the enhancing reagent comprising an inorganic salt, an organic compound having the formula wherein when X is B(OH)2, Y is I, or wherein when X is OH, Y is a halogen, or Q-R wherein Q is a linear or branched 1-12 heteroatom alkyl wherein tie heteroatoms are selected from C, N, O, and S, wherein the bonds connecting the heteroatom alkyl chain are single or double, wherein any carbon atom in the heteroatom alkyl chain optionally includes a substituent selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —SH, and wherein R is selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —CH3; or mixtures of the inorganic salt and the organic compound.

Abstract: A heating element CVD device capable of providing a high productivity and decomposing and/or activating the material gas led into a processing container by a heating element and stacking film on a substrate disposed in the processing container, wherein the connection part area of the heating element to a connection terminal for connecting the hearing element to a power supply mechanism is not exposed to a space inside the processing container, specifically, the connection part area is covered by a cylindrical body or a platy body covering the connection part area while providing a space part thereof from the hearing element, or the connection part area allows the space part to be present in a space thereof from the connection terminal and is covered by the cylindrical body or platy body covering the connection part area while providing the space part in a space thereof from the heating element, and hydrogen gas is led from the connection terminal side into the processing container through the space part, wher

Abstract: In luminance priority multilayer color film, one of the layers substantially matches the luminance sensitivity of the human eye. This luminance layer distinguishes from prior art color films that have a blue, a green, and a red sensitive layer. This luminance layer has the priority front position to sense light before being diffused and attenuated by other layers, giving the luminance record enhanced speed and clarity compared to prior art blue-priority color film. In another embodiment, a layered CCD sensor has a top silicon layer that is sensitive to all colors, followed by a yellow filter, a second silicon layer responsive to green and red light only because of the yellow filter, a cyan filter, and a bottom silicon layer receiving only green light. An image from a luminance-priority color sensor inputs to a color space conversion to recover full color.

Abstract: A non-metal film whose thermophysical properties are unknown is disposed between a first metal film and a second metal film, thereby forming a sample having a three-layer structure. The metal films have predetermined known thermophysical properties, belong to the same sort of substance and have the same thickness. The three-layer substance is disposed on a transparent substrate and is heated from below the second metal film, using a picosecond light pulse coming from below and passing through the transparent substrate. The light pulse used in the irradiation is converted into heat in the second metal film during only one picosecond, with such heat diffusing through interface/non-metal film layer/interface and thus arriving at the first metal film. By measuring a temperature change on the surface of the first metal film, it is possible to perform correct measurement by using the thermoreflectance method formerly suggested in a patent application by the inventors of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel refrigerant composition useful as a substitute for HCFC-22, comprising a first constituent of difluoromethane (CH2F2, HFC-32); a second constituent of pentafluoroethane (CHF2CF3, HFC-125); a third constituent of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CH3CF3, HFC-143a); a fourth constituent selected from the group consisting of cyclopropane (C3H6, RC-270), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (CF3CHFCF3, HFC-227ea), 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (CH3CF2CF3, HFC-245cb), isobutane (CH(CH3)2CH3, R-600a), octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8, RC-318), 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (CHF2CHFCF3, HFC-236ea), butane (C4H10, R-600), bis(difluoromethyl)ether (CHF2OCHF2, HFE-134) and pentafluoroethylmethylether (CF3CF2OCH3, HFE-245).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are (1) a light-emitting semiconductor device that uses a gallium nitride compound semiconductor (AlxGa1−xN) in which the n-layer of n-type gallium nitride compound semiconductor (AlxGa1−xN) is of double-layer structure including an n-layer of low carrier concentration and an n+-layer of high carrier concentration, the former being adjacent to the i-layer of insulating gallium nitride compound semiconductor (AlxGa1−xN); (2) a light-emitting semiconductor device of similar structure as above in which the i-layer is of double-layer structure including an iL-layer of low impurity concentration containing p-type impurities in comparatively low concentration and an iH-layer of high impurity concentration containing p-type impurities in comparatively high concentration, the former being adjacent to the n-layer; (3) a light-emitting semiconductor device having both of the above-mentioned features and (4) a method of producing a layer of an n-type gallium nitride compound semic

Abstract: Disclosed are a testing apparatus for and a method of measuring thermal stresses of concrete structures. Overcoming the limitations that conventional analytical access techniques have, the apparatus opens a new way to conveniently measure the thermal stress attributable to the heat of hydration generated in concrete structures indoors. Using a material different in coefficient of thermal expansion from concrete, the apparatus can directly measure the change in thermal stress of the concrete which is subjected to internal and/or external confinement. By using various materials, the thermal stress which varies depending on the confinement extent can be inferred. Additionally, an accurate prediction of the thermal stresses generated actually in concrete can be obtained, reflecting unclear physical properties of early-age concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition useful for early and profuse sporulation in fungi with about 100 fold increase in spore count within 48 hours of inoculation, said composition comprising molasses ranging between 5-20 g/L, Corn Steep Liquor (CSL) ranging between 10-25 g/L, Sodium chloride (NaCl) ranging between 5-15 g/L, calcium sulphate (CaSO4) ranging between 0.1-0.5 g/L, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) ranging between 0.001-0.01 g/L, Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7 H2O) ranging between 0.001-0.01 g/L, Copper sulphate (CuSO4) ranging between 0.001-0.0050 g/L, Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) ranging between 0.0009-0.005 g/L, an anti-foam agent, and optionally solidifying agent and a method thereof.

Abstract: A tool for grinding and polishing diamond and a method for polishing diamond in which a single crystal diamond, a diamond thin film, a sintered diamond compact and the like can be polished at low temperatures without causing cracks, fractures or degradation in quality therein. The tool and method provide a polishing operation which is easy to accomplish, provides stable polishing quality, and provides decreased costs while maintaining stable grinder performance. The grinder is formed of a main component which is an intermetallic compound consisting of one kind or more of elements selected from the group of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt and one kind or more of elements selected from the group of Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. The diamond polishing method includes pushing the above stated grinder against the diamond, and rotating or moving the grinder relative to the diamond while keeping the portion of the diamond subjected to polishing at room temperature.

Abstract: A novel refrigerant composition useful as a substitute for HCFC-22, comprising a first constituent of difluoromethane (CH2F2, HFC-32); a second constituent of pentafluoroethane (CHF2CF3, HFC-125); a third constituent of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CH3CF3, HFC-143a); a fourth constituent selected from the group consisting of cyclopropane (C3H6, RC-270), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (CF3CHFCF3, HFC-227ea), 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (CH3CF2CF3, HFC-245cb), isobutane (CH(CH3)2CH3, R-600a), octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8, RC-318), 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (CHF2CHFCF3, HFC-236ea), butane (C4H10, R-600), bis(difluoromethyl)ether (CHF2OCHF2, HFE-134) and pentafluoroethylmethylether (CF3CF2OCH3, HFE-245).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of angiotensin II in combination with angiotesin 1-9 to potentiate angiotensin II activity. The invention also relates to the use of combinations of angiotensin II and angiotensin 1-9 to increase vasoconstriction and to treat disorders associated with low blood pressure.

Abstract: A light detecting and ranging system and method for detecting airborne agents in which the system includes a laser which provides laser pulses of at least two wavelengths, a transmitter which transmits the laser pulses, a receiver which receives both elastically backscattered signals from airborne agents and fluorescence signals from the airborne agents, a common telescope which both focuses a laser beam transmission of the laser pulse from the transmitter to a far field and receives the elastically backscattered signals and the fluorescence signals from the far field, a digital detection system having at least one of a backscatter optical detector which detects the elastically backscattered signals and a fluorescence optical detector which detects the fluorescence signals from the airborne agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide sequences of the genome of Staphylococcus aureus, polypeptide sequences encoded by the polynucleotide sequences, corresponding polynucleotides and polypeptides, vectors and hosts comprising the polynucleotides, and assays and other uses thereof. The present invention further provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence information stored on computer readable media, and computer-based systems and methods which facilitate its use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic luminescent material/clay nanocomposite with improved luminescent efficiency and stability, which is prepared by blending an organic luminescent material with a nanoclay, and an electroluminescent device employing the same. The electroluminescent device of the invention comprises: a transparent substrate; a semitransparent electrode deposited on the transparent substrate; a clay nanocomposite emissive layer spin-coated with an organic EL material/clay nanocomposite, positioned on the semitransparent electrode; and, a metal electrode deposited on the clay nanocomposite emissive layer. Since the electroluminescent device of the invention provides improved luminescent efficiency and stability, it can be practically applied to the development of organic semi-conductor.