Abstract: The present invention includes pure single-crystalline metal oxide and metal fluoride nanostructures, and methods of making same. These nanostructures include nanorods and nanoarrays.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of natural fiber and polymer composites is described. Thermoplastically processed plasticized soy flour based plastics are used with thermoplastic polymers. Polymers of soy flour and an in situ polymerized polyvinyl polymer which links proteins and carbohydrates in the flour to form the polymer are used. The composites are useful in engineering materials.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an optical tomographic imaging system that is configured to execute time-series optical measurements of a target's response to incident optical energy is presented. An electro-active device that is configured to be electronically modulated to control the electro-active device's opacity is embedded in a dense scattering medium. A known hemodynamic response pattern is selected and at least one wavelength of optical energy that produces the known hemodynamic response pattern is determined. A wavelength-dependent driving voltage function is then computed. A voltage is then applied to the electro-active device according to the wavelength-dependent driving voltage function. Optical energy is then transmitted to the scattering medium at the at least one wavelength and a hemodynamic response for the target is determined. The known hemodynamic response pattern and the determined hemodynamic response pattern are then compared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.

Abstract: Simultaneous amplitude and phase control of ultrafast laser pulses using a single, linear (one-dimensional) liquid crystal spatial light modulator is described. Amplitude shaping is accomplished by writing a high-frequency phase grating having a spatial period much smaller than the spectral focus (over-sampling), onto the modulator, and diffracting away selected frequencies in a controllable manner, while spectral phase control is imparted by adding an appropriate slow phase bias to the modulator. The close pixel spacing, large number of pixels, and small footprint of the reflective spatial light modulator employed with an angular wavelength dispersive element in a folded Martinez stretcher, enables a simple and compact apparatus to be achieved. The high reflectivity of the spatial light modulator results in a highly efficient pulse shaper when either a prism or diffractive grating is used for the angular dispersive element.

Abstract: A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of formula I: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl; Ar is an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl; and wherein Ar is optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, azido, C1-C4 azidoalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloaryl, haloalkylaryl, and combinations thereof, and R is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, acetonitrile, ethylnitrile, propylnitrile, carboxamide, amidine, tetrazole, oxime, hydrazone, acetamidine, aminoacetamide, guanidine, and urea. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer in humans.

Abstract: Plant proteins isolated from monocot plants from transformation of the monocot plant with DNA at least 80% homologous to the bglA gene encoding ?-glucosidase from a rumen bacterium which is Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c and targeted to a subcellular compartment. The transformed plant is ground after the ?-glucosidase has been accumulated, and the protein is extracted or used directly with the ground plant material to degrade cellobiose, in particular, to produce sugars used in fermentations, particularly to produce ethanol. Also, a gene at least 80% homologous to DNA XYL1 gene encoding a xylanase is also provided in a transformed plant and used to produce sugars.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell adhesion molecule (CAM), designated F11 receptor (F11R) and its use to inhibit platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders. Cloned F11R cDNA and full length F11R cDNA and amino acid sequences are provided. F11R-antagonists and methods for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke and other clinical disorders involving thrombus formation are also provided. There are at least two kinds of antagonists that may be employed together. Peptides derived from the extracellular domain of F11R and small molecules and peptidomimetics based on the structure of these peptides, as well as inhibitory antibodies and functional fragments thereof, are shown to inhibit human platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion to endothelial cells, and therefore, inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: Cloning, expression, viral and delivery vectors and hosts which contain nucleic acid coding for at least one peripheral nervous system specific (PNS) sodium channel peptide (SCP), isolated PNS SCP, and compounds and compositions and methods, are provided, for isolating, crystallizing, x-ray analysing molecular modeling, rational drug designing, selecting, making and using therapeutic or diagnostic agents or ligands having at least one peripheral nervous system specific (PNS) sodium channel (SC) modulating activity.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample includes providing a first part of the sample and a second part of the sample. A first analysis is conducted on the first part of the sample and the results of the first analysis are considered. A second analysis is conducted on the second part of the sample, the second analysis being conducted according to a procedure using a value for each of one or more characteristics of the procedure. The consideration of the results of the first analysis is used to determine whether the value for one or more of the characteristics of the procedure is changed to a different value. The second analysis is started before the results of the first analysis are obtained.

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: Compounds and methods useful for treating and prevention of cancer, particularly hormone-dependent breast cancer. Provided are compounds of formula I: wherein X is selected from O, N, S, SO, SO2, and S(CH2)n, wherein n=1-10; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from H, OH, OCH3, OCH2CH3, OCH2C6H5, NH2, NHCH3, N(CH3)2, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, C(CH3)3, NO2, F, Cl, Br, CF3, SH, SCH3, SCH2CH3, OCOCH3, OCOC(CH3)3, OCOCH2COOH, and CN; and R3 is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring. Also provided are method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a heteroaryl-containing isoflavone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, to a subject in need of treatment.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a protrusion protruding in a Y?-axis direction and extending in an X-axis direction on a main surface of a rotated Y cut quartz plate, and an excitation electrode and a detection electrode formed on the main surface adjacent to this protrusion. This excitation electrode excites thickness-shear vibration in the X-axis direction on the quartz substrate, exiting vibration on the protrusion. Then, the protrusion is bent and displaced due to Coriolis force acting in a direction orthogonal to the vibration of the protrusion corresponding to a rotation around an Y? axis. This displacement at the protrusion is applied to the quartz substrate as stress. The detection electrode detects change of this stress, thereby angular speed added to the angular velocity sensor is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shear application system for applying substantially uniform amounts of shear throughout a powder sample. The shear application system preferably includes a cylinder assembly having an inner cylinder, a housing, an inner set of lugs, and an outer set of lugs. The inner cylinder has an external cylindrical surface and the housing has an internal cylindrical surface concentric with said external cylindrical surface. The internal and external cylindrical surfaces form an annular chamber therebetween. Each one of the lugs of the inner set extend radially outward from the external cylindrical surface, and each one of the lugs of the outer set extend radially inward from the internal cylindrical surface and are substantially uniformly spaced. The shear application system preferably includes drive means mechanically connected to the inner cylinder and control means electrically connected to the drive means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article comprising a dielectric layer formed from any solution composition that can form barium titanate during firing and containing manganese in an amount between 0.002 and 0.05 atom percent of the solution composition, wherein the dielectric layer has been formed on metal foil and fired in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A composite composition and methods for making the composition, providing a metal matrix and dispersed inorganic oxide particles with a bound organofunctional group on a surface of the particles are described. A composite solder composition and methods for making and using the composition, providing a metal matrix and dispersed inorganic oxide particles with a bound organofunctional group on a surface of the particles are described. An apparatus comprising this composite solder composition is also described. In particular, organofunctional POSS, and POS, particles are described. The compositions provide cast metals and solders.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for determining a centerline through a region of interest in a 3D image dataset is provided. The method includes identifying the boundaries of the region of interest and identifying the endpoints of the region of interest. For those points within the boundaries, a penalty value which is a function of the proximity of the point to a boundary is determined. A centerline is then identified by the path connecting the endpoints which has the minimum penalized distance wherein the penalized distance reflects the actual accumulated pathlength and the penalties associated with the points along the path. From the centerline, branches of a complete skeleton can be established by determining branch endpoints and then finding the minimum penalized distance from each endpoint the centerline or another intersecting branch.

Abstract: A method of making a porphyrin is carried out by: (a) condensing (i) a 1,9-bis(N,N-)dialkylaminomethyl)dipyrromethane of Formula II: with (ii) a dipyrromethane to produce a reaction product; then (b) oxidizing the reaction product; and then (c) optionally demetallating said reaction product to produce the porphyrin. The reaction is particularly useful for making substituted porphyrins with a wide range of substituents at the A and/or B (the 5 and/or 15) positions.

Abstract: A corrupted packet toleration and correction system includes a receiver adapted to employ a cross layer protocol that distinguishes between corrupted packets and error-free packets, and tolerates corrupted packets by making side information about corrupted packets available to an application layer. A decoder of the application layer provides hybrid decoding that simultaneously handles errors and erasures and takes advantage of the side information, including employing LDPC (HEEL) based codes over short packet blocks in the cross layer protocol.