Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal alignment agent, a liquid crystal device produced by using the liquid crystal alignment agent thereof, and a method for alignment of liquid crystal molecules by using the liquid crystal alignment agent. In more detail, the present embodiments relates to a novel liquid crystal alignment agent used in a method of aligning liquid crystal molecules, wherein the agent includes a molecule having a highly polar functional group grafted onto an end of the molecule.

Abstract: A system for the detection of ligands comprising at least one receptor and an amplification mechanism coupled to the receptor wherein an amplified signal is produced as a result of receptor binding a ligand. Examples of suitable amplification mechanisms include antibody-embedded liquid crystalline materials; use of alpha-2-macroglobulin to encage an enzyme, whereby the enzyme is separated from its substrate by an receptor; and a receptor engineered to inhibit the active of site of an enzyme only in the absence of a ligand. Also provided are methods for the automatic detection of ligands.

Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major problem in the pork industry worldwide. The inclusion of markers in vaccines will allow for diagnostic differentiation of vaccinated animals from those naturally infected with wild-type virus. Using a cDNA infectious clone of North American Type 1 PRRSV, a recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged PRRSV has been made, containing deletion of an immunogenic epitope, ES4, in the nsp2 region. GFP and ES4 epitope-based ELISAs compliment the marker identification.

Abstract: A hybrid CMOL stack enables more efficient design of CMOS logical circuits. The hybrid CMOL structure includes a first substrate having a CMOS device layer on the substrate, a first interconnect layer with interface pins over the CMOS device layer of the first substrate, a first array of nanowires connected to the interface pins of the first interconnect layer, a layer of nanowire junction material over the first array of nanowires, a second array of nanowires over the nanowire junction material, a second interconnect layer having interface pins disposed over the second array of nanowires, the interface pins being connected to the second array of nanowires, and a second substrate, the second substrate including a second CMOS device layer disposed over the second interconnect layer.

Abstract: Slide agglutination tests (SATs) and slide inhibition tests (SITs) provide rapid detection, quantitation and strain identification of red blood cell (RBC) agglutinating viruses such as canine parvovirus (CPV) in biological samples. The tests are rapid, low-cost, and easy to use. These tests do not require any expensive equipment and can thus be used to monitor infections and antibody titers under field conditions. The tests can be modified to detect results using fluorescence (FSAT). FSAT is useful for rapid high-throughput screening (HTS) of libraries of small molecules and/or chemical compounds to identify antiviral compounds useful for the treatment of diseases caused by emerging hemaglutinating viruses that infect animals and humans.

Abstract: Compositions of matter for treating cancer patients are used to prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after treatment with anthracycline drugs, and to prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Preferred embodiments comprise a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds having halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) aryl groups, preferably halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) arylcyanooximes or phenylcyanooximes and derivatives or analogs thereof, including those comprising —CL or —F, or other substituents on an aryl/phenyl ring. The preferred composition of arylcyanooxime(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately from the at least one anthracycline compound.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula: wherein X, Y, and Z are as defined in the specification. The compounds are effective anti-tumor agents. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the above formula or a salt thereof, intermediates useful for preparing a compound of the above formula, and therapeutic methods comprising administering a compound of the above formula or a salt thereof to a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of allocation a computer to service a request for a data set in a system having a plurality of computers. The method is implemented on a neural network having only an input layer having input nodes and an output layer having output nodes, where each output node is associated with a specific computer. Connecting the input nodes to the output nodes are weights w(j,k). The method includes the steps of receiving a request for data set “I” and inputting to the input layer a vector R(I) dependent upon the number of requests for the requested data over a predetermined period of time and selecting a computer assignment associated with of one of the output nodes to service the data request, where the output node selected is associated with a specific weight selected to minimize a predetermined metric measuring the distance between the vector entry R(I) and the weights(I,k).

Abstract: A pre-ionized medium created by a capillary discharge results in more efficient use of laser energy in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from ions. It extends the cutoff photon energy, and reduces the distortion of the laser pulse as it propagates down the waveguide. The observed enhancements result from a combination of reduced ionization energy loss and reduced ionization-induced defocusing of the driving laser as well as waveguiding of the driving laser pulse. The discharge plasma also provides a means to spectrally tune the harmonics by tailoring the initial level of ionization of the medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting a two-dimensional image or bitmap of a handwritten manuscript into three-dimensional data The three-dimensional data can be used to automatically recognize features of the manuscript, such as characters or words. The method includes the steps of: converting the two-dimensional image into three-dimensional volumetric data; filtering the three-dimensional volumetric data; and processing the filtered three-dimensional volumetric data to resolve features of the two-dimensional image. The method can be used, for example, to differentiate between ascenders, descenders, loops, curls, and endpoints that define the overall letter forms in handwritten text, manuscripts or signatures.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for determining at least one material property of a material sample (such as a bone sample) at at least one point. The system includes a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer, both transducers being confocal transducers. The transducers are configured to receive the material sample therebetween such that the confocal point of the transducers are located at the at least one point in the material sample. A processor initiates an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducers that is transmitted trough the at least one point of the material sample when positioned between the transducers. The ultrasonic signal is received by the receiving transducing and the processor in turn receives a signal reflecting one or more measures of the received ultrasonic signal. The processor determines at least one ultrasonic parameter for the at least one point of the material sample based upon the transmitted and received ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital detection of an analog tomographic signal are described. The methods include receiving an amplitude-modulated analog signal containing tomographic information, the analog signal having a modulation frequency, f?i; and converting the analog signal into a digital signal at a sampling frequency, fs, to produce a number of samples, K. The digital signal is multiplied by an in-phase reference signal to obtain an in-phase signal component, the in-phase reference signal having the frequency, f?i; and the digital signal is multiplied by a quadrature reference signal to obtain a quadrature signal component, the quadrature reference signal having the frequency, f?i. The in-phase signal component and the quadrature signal component are passed through the K-point averaging filter. A signal amplitude is computed based on the filtered in-phase signal component and the filtered quadrature signal component, the signal amplitude being representative of the tomographic information.

Abstract: An upflow anaerobic reactor includes an effluent outlet configured to direct effluent out of the reactor and a fluid-filled gas trap configured to prevent loss of biogas from the vessel. An auger assembly is operably coupled to the effluent outlet to prevent clogging of the effluent outlet by solid matter that tends to collect in the effluent outlet. The auger assembly includes at least one helical screw conveyor that rotates so as to remove solid material that collects in the effluent outlet. auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor. The auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for the aerobic production of xanthan by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas on a solid or semi-solid substrate. In the exemplary embodiment of the method, a substrate is provided that has a total solids content of about 6.5% or higher. The substrate is sterilized and cooled. Bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are inoculated into the substrate and incubated. After incubation, the bacteria are destroyed, the substrate is either diluted or washed, and the xanthan is isolated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric medical devices such as stents. More particularly the polymeric compositions disclosed herein comprise halogen-containing, tyrosine-derived diphenols, optionally in conjunction with other groups, such as dicarboxylic acids and/or poly(alkylene oxides), such that the medical devices made from these polymeric compositions are bioresorbable and inherently radiopaque, and exhibit physicomechanical properties consistent with the intended uses of such devices.

Abstract: Improved methods for production of stilbenoids including resveratrol, pinosylvin and their respective derivatives are provided, including producing root cultures from plant cells and eliciting production of the stilbenes. The plant cells in an embodiment are contacted with substances which elicit production of the stilbenoid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or reducing oxidation of a frying oil during frying. The method involves adding a terpene ester compound, including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, to a frying oil under conditions effective to prevent or reduce oxidation of the frying oil during frying. Also disclosed are frying oil compositions containing a frying oil and a terpene ester compound including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, as well as food products fried with such frying oil compositions.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating continuous nanofibers include the steps providing a column, flowing an extrusion liquid through the column, and flowing a precursor liquid through the extrusion liquid, wherein the flowing precursor liquid has a viscosity less than the viscosity of the extrusion liquid. The method further includes reducing the diameter of the flowing precursor liquid by extruding the precursor liquid through the extrusion liquid, wherein the diameter of the precursor liquid is reduced by a factor of at least 5, and forming a continuous nanofiber by solidifying the extruded precursor liquid.

Abstract: Hybrid compounds containing an aminotetralin moiety or a heterocyclic and/or open chain analog thereof linked through an alkylene group to an aryl ring system-substituted piperidiene moiety exhibit high levels of CNS activity, in some cases exhibiting especially high relative binding efficiencies between D3 and D2 dopaminergic receptor subtypes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for carrying a liquid, the device comprising a microfluidic channel having an interior wall and a polyelectrolyte film on the interior wall whereby liquid carried by the channel contacts the polyelectrolyte film, the polyelectrolyte film having a thickness of about 1 to about 1000 nanometers and comprising an interpenetrating network of a predominantly positively charged polymer and a predominantly negatively charged polymer, the predominantly positively charged polymer, the predominantly negatively charged polymer or both containing (i) a pH insensitive positively or negatively charged repeat unit having a pKa greater than 9 or less than 3, and (ii) a pH sensitive repeat unit, the pH sensitive repeat unit having a pKa of 3 to 9, whereby the pH of liquid in the microfluidic channel may be used to control the velocity or direction of electroosmotic flow of the liquid within said microfluidic channel.