Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein ligands comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) domain and an immunoglobulin light chain variable (VL) domain, wherein the proteins bind a complex comprising an MHC and a peptide, do not substantially bind the MHC in the absence of the bound peptide, and do not substantially bind the peptide in the absence of the MHC, and the peptide is a peptide fragment of gp100, MUC1, TAX, or hTERT. Also disclosed are methods of using and identifying such ligands.

Abstract: A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection.

Abstract: Anti CMV antibodies are provided. Thus an antibody of the present invention comprises an antigen recognition domain capable of binding an MHC molecule being complexed with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 or pp64 peptide, wherein the antibody does not bind said MHC molecule in an absence of said complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind said peptide in an absence of said MHC molecule. Also provided are methods of using the antibodies.

Abstract: A low power hall thruster is provided that is effective for micro-spacecrafts and nano-spacecrafts as well as mini-spacecrafts. The hall thruster comprises a co-axial acceleration channel capable of being applied with predominantly-radial magnetic field and a co-axial anode within a cavity capable of being applied with substantially longitudinal magnetic field. A cathode-compensator is placed beyond the acceleration channel and magnetic system is provided capable of generating the radial magnetic field within the co-axial acceleration channel and the longitudinal magnetic field within the co-axial anode. An electrically isolated gas distributor is also provided.

Abstract: Articles of manufacturing for preventing or reducing tobacco smoke- and smokeless-tobacco associated injury in the aerodigestive tract of a subject are disclosed, which comprise at least one agent capable of reducing or preventing tobacco associated loss of peroxidase activity in said aerodigestive tract, said at least one agent being selected from the group consisting of a cyanide chelator and an iron chelator.

Abstract: An ultrasound cardiac stimulation system comprising: a spatially selective ultrasound source comprising at least one ultrasound transducer located outside the circulatory system; and a controller; where the controller generates an electrical response in the heart by directing the ultrasound source to transmit a high enough power level of ultrasound to one or more locations in the heart.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical compositions useful for inhibiting the growth of solid tumors are provided. Specifically, the method is effected by administering to a subject in need thereof an agent capable of upregulating the expression level and/or activity of at least a functional portion of Sef, wherein the functional portion being capable of inhibiting RTK-mediated cell proliferation. Also provided are methods and kits for diagnosing and staging of cancer by detecting the expression level of hSef in a tissue sample, wherein a decrease in hSef expression level is indicative of cancer.

Abstract: An isolated composition of matter is provided comprising a heterogeneous population of cells seeded on a surface of a scaffold, wherein the heterogeneous population of cells comprises at least one pancreatic islet, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention uncovers that mutations in GALNT3 gene encoding UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T3) cause familial tumoral calcinosis (FTC). Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating disorders associated with abnormal phosphate metabolism are provided. Specifically, inducers of GalNAc-T3 can be used to treat hyperphosphatemia related disorders such as FTC, and on the other hand, inhibitors of GalNAc-T3 can be used to treat disorders associated with hypophosphatemia, such as hypophosphatemic rickets.

Abstract: A method for discovering association rules in a distributed database that includes a plurality of partitions associated with respective computing nodes includes generating a candidate association rule defining an association relationship between itemsets in the distributed database. At each node among at least a subset of the nodes, an asynchronous fully-distributed majority voting process is applied to assess a correctness of the candidate association rule.

Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring an image of a particle flowing in a vessel, the system comprising a light source for generating an illuminating light, an imaging probe for laterally statically illuminating at least a portion of said vessel with the illuminating light, a detection unit for detecting emitted light from an illuminated portion of said particle, and a processor unit for reproducing an image of the illuminated portion of said particle from the emitted light.

Abstract: A method of assembling an image. The method comprises receiving an image depicting a pattern, identifying a stochastic field and a deterministic field of the pattern, separately increasing resolution of each the stochastic and deterministic fields, and assembling the resolution increased stochastic and deterministic fields to create an additional image of the pattern. The pattern in the additional image having a higher spatial resolution than in the image.

Abstract: A computerized method of computing the Voronoi diagram has applications including communications networks, robotics, three-dimensional networks, materials science, searching image processing, data clustering, data compression, control of a groups of methods for image processing and the like, design of electronic circuits, geographic information systems, solutions of the efficient location problem, face recognition, mesh generation and re-meshing, curve and surface generation/reconstruction, solid modeling, collision detection, controlling motion of vehicles, navigation, accident prevention, data clustering and data processing, proximity operations, nearest neighbor search, numerical simulations, weather prediction, analyzing and modeling proteins and other biological structures, designing drugs, finding shortest paths, pattern recognition and as an artistic tool.

Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells and embryoid bodies are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method of designing logic circuit provides a logic circuit which includes a first transistor network and a complementary second transistor network connected at a central node. The central node serves as a first logic output. Each of the transistor networks is also connected to a respective root. A third transistor network is connected between an intermediate node of one of the transistor networks and the network's respective root. The third transistor network has a complementary structure to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node, and includes a logic output The third transistor network (the graft network) provides a second logic output to the logic circuit.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is disclosed. The microfluidic system comprises a microchannel having in fluid communication with a fluid inlet for receiving a first fluid. The microfluidic system can further comprise a piezoelectric actuator which controls the flow of the first fluid in the microchannel by selectively applying external pressure on the wall of the microchannel.

Abstract: A rotaxane consisting of a cucurbituril and an uncharged guest molecule, having low or null affinity therebetween is provided as well as processes for providing the same. Various uses as energy converters (“frictionless” molecular motors), biochips and biosensors using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of generating cultured chondrocytes/endochondral bone cells is provided. The method comprising isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue, and culturing the isolated chondrocytes. A method of isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue is further provided. The method comprises isolating mandibular condyle tissue from a mammal and treating the mandibular condyle tissue so as to selectively remove fibroblast-like cells and/or myocytes therefrom, the modified mandibular condyle tissue including chondrocytes, and selectively collecting the chondrocytes from the modified mandibular condyle tissue.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.