Abstract: A device includes: a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact; a semiconducting or semimetallic organic layer disposed at least partially between the first and second electrical contacts; and a tunneling barrier layer disposed at least partially between the semiconducting or semimetallic organic layer and the first electrical contact. The tunneling barrier layer has a thickness effective to enable flow of an electrical current through the tunneling barrier layer responsive to an operative electrical bias applied across the first and second electrical contacts, the electrical current exhibiting negative differential resistance for at least some applied electrical bias values. Circuits are also disclosed that utilize one or more negative differential resistance polymer diodes to implement logic, memory, or mixed signal applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides corresponding to all or a portion of amino acid residues 12-26 of human p53 protein. When fused to a membrane-penetrating leader sequence, the peptides are either lethal to malignant or transformed cells or else cause reversion to the untransformed morphological phenotype. The subject peptides are thus useful in treating neoplastic disease in an animal, preferably a human. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the subject peptides admixed with a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier. Methods of treating neoplastic disease in a patient by administering a subject peptide are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a compound of Formula I: is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II (which pair may be the same or different), or by condensing a compound of Formula III with a compound Formula IV, to produce a compound of Formula I. The condensing step may be carried out with a metal salt under basic conditions.

Abstract: A method of determining cluster attractors for a plurality of documents comprising at least one term. The method comprises calculating, in respect of each term, a probability distribution indicative of the frequency of occurrence of the, or each, other term that co-occurs with said term in at least one of said documents. Then, the entropy of the respective probability distribution is calculated. Finally, at least one of said probability distributions is selected as a cluster attractor depending on the respective entropy value. The method facilitates very small clusters to be formed enabling more focused retrieval during a document search.

Abstract: A chromium-free welding consumable and a method of welding stainless steel to reduce the presence of chromium emissions. The consumable is made from an alloy that reduces the emission of chromium during a welding process, and include predominantly nickel, with between approximately five and twenty five percent by weight copper, up to approximately five percent by weight of palladium, up to approximately ten percent by weight of molybdenum and up to five percent non-copper alloying ingredients. Welding consumables made from the alloy are particularly well-suited for welding austenitic stainless steels, such as type 304 stainless steel. The method involves using chromium-free weld filler material with a stainless steel base material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 2,5-bis{[alkyl (or aryl) imino] aminophenyl}furans and thiophenes of the general formula in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkoxy, halide, and alkylhalide groups; R5 is H, alkyl or aryl; R6 is H, alkyl, aryl, or NR7R8, in which R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and aryl; and X is O, S or NR9, in which R9 is H or alkyl, and to the use of such compounds.

Abstract: Methods for determining chlorophyll content comprise providing a sample, subjecting the sample to light at a first wavelength and detecting a first wavelength response, subjecting the sample to light at a second wavelength and detecting a second wavelength response, and calculating a chlorophyll content of the sample based on at least the first wavelength response and the second wavelength response. Optional approaches include detecting the nitrogen content and/or water content of the sample. Associated apparatus for determining chlorophyll content, which may comprise a handheld device, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to compositions and methods for providing drought resistant grass plants comprising Festuca mairei plant germplasm. Specifically, the inventions relate to providing compositions and methods for introgressing Festuca mairei germplasm and/or specific Festuca mairei genes into grass plants, such as Lolium perenne plants. Further, the invention relates to methods of grass plant breeding comprising genetic markers for identifying the preferred Festuca mairei germplasm introgressed into grass plants, and providing commercially desirable drought resistant cultivars of grass plants.

Abstract: A method of treating pancreatitis is provided, including the steps of: providing a mammal having pancreatitis; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a truncated N-terminal PAP2; and making of an antibody specifically directed to detect PAP2.

Abstract: A method for improving single photon emission computed tomography by controlling acquisition parameters specific to the imaging goals and specific to the individual case under study. Data acquisition is modulated by scanning to adapt to the particular signal to noise characteristics of each object. A preliminary acquisition quickly scans the object of interest. The preliminary data is analyzed to optimize the secondary scan. The secondary scan is then acquired with optimized sampling of the object based on its own particular image characteristics. The system is able to learn, incorporating site specific data into a triaging set.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to the labeling of target cells with quantum dots (QDs). Specifically, a delivery system is disclosed based on the use of negatively charged QDs for delivery of a tracking fluorescent signal into the cytosol of target cells via a passive endocytosis-mediated delivery process. In a specific embodiment of the invention the target cell is a stem cell, preferably a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). Such labeled MSCs provide a means for tracking the distribution and fate of MSCs that have been administered to a subject to promote cardiac repair. The invention is based on the discovery that MSCs can be tracked in vitro for up to at least 6 weeks. Additionally, QDs delivered in vivo can be tracked for up to at least 8 weeks, thereby permitting for the first time, the complete 3-D reconstruction of the locations of all MSCs following administration into a host.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the methods and compositions involving endopeptidase enzymes, especially PepO2 and PepO3 from L. helveticus, and their use in reducing bitterness by cleaving bitter peptides. In particular embodiments of the invention, these methods and compositions apply to the cheesemaking process. The invention also concerns the use of PepO2 and/or PepO3 polypeptides in the treatment or prevention of celiac sprue or as a food additive.

Abstract: Compounds and methods suppressing aromatase activity expression in cancer cells. Provided are compounds are those of formula I: wherein R1 may be alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, haloaryl, alkoxy, alkylaryl, and arylalkyl; R2 is H, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, and cycloalkyl; R3, with the base nitrogen, forms an amide or sulfonamide; R4 is selected from nitro, amine, amide, and benzamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also provided are small molecule selective aromatase inhibitors having a molecular weight of less 500 g/mol. In some embodiments, the small molecule selective aromatase inhibitors described herein have a molecular weight of less than 450 g/mol. Also provided are methods for suppressing aromatase activity expression in cancer cells comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a small molecule aromatase inhibitor to a subject in need of such treatment. In one embodiment, the cancer cells are breast cancer cells.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis apparatus for mammography has an x-ray source for emission of x-ray beams from different directions directed toward a detector, and a compression plate and a support plate arranged in the beam path between the x-ray source and the detector. A breast to be examined is positioned and compressed between the compression plate and the support plate. The compression plate exhibits a concave recess open in the direction of the support plate on the side of the compression plate facing toward the support plate.

Abstract: A method for detection and location of air leaks in a pressure vessel, such as a spacecraft, includes sensing structure-borne ultrasound waveforms associated with turbulence caused by a leak from a plurality of sensors and cross correlating the waveforms to determine existence and location of the leak. Different configurations of sensors and corresponding methods can be used. An apparatus for performing the methods is also provided.

Abstract: Anhydride polymers that release active or activatable agent(s) have pre-selected properties such as molecular weight, flexibility, hardness, adhesiveness, and other valuable properties. The polymers are suitable for use in compositions, formulations, coatings, devices, and the like that benefit from the controlled release of an agent(s) over a period of time. The polymers are prepared by a process involving various alternative and sequential steps that allow the design a priori of products with specific characteristics. The polymers are suitable as delivery systems, either by themselves, as compositions, formulations or devices.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of, and methods for the preparation of compounds of, the molecular formula, SixGeyHz—aXa; wherein X is halogen, and x, y, z, and a are defined herein, and methods for the deposition of high-Ge content Si films on silicon substrates using compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for the detection of dental caries. The apparatus generates longitudinal ultrasound waves that may be applied to any accessible surface of a tooth. The reflected ultrasound pulse echoes are collected and correlated with the incident pulse. The ultrasound pulse echoes from the front and rear surface of a dental cavity may be distinguished from other echoes, and provided in visual display to inform as to the size and location of the cavity.

Abstract: A semiconductor vertical junction field effect power transistor formed by a semiconductor structure having top and bottom surfaces and including a plurality of semiconductor layers with predetermined doping concentrations and thicknesses and comprising at least a bottom layer as drain layer, a middle layer as blocking and channel layer, a top layer as source layer. A plurality of laterally spaced U-shaped trenches with highly vertical side walls defines a plurality of laterally spaced mesas. The mesas are surrounded on the four sides by U-shaped semiconductor regions having conductivity type opposite to that of the mesas forming U-shaped pn junctions and defining a plurality of laterally spaced long and vertical channels with a highly uniform channel opening dimension. A source contact is formed on the top source layer and a drain contact is formed on the bottom drain layer.

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry tree named ‘PC7903-2’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its very large, juicy fruit.