Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Fig tree denominated ‘Sequoia’ is described. The new Sequoia fig variety is a high quality, medium to large size, yellow-green skinned fig of the “common” type, developed for use in the fresh market fig industry. The Sequoia tree is of medium vigor and size and is a regular and productive bearer, developing both a Breba and second crop in most years. The Sequoia has a tight ostiole that substantially restricts the entry of most insects into the interior of the fig fruit. In comparison with the “Tena” parent cultivar, the Sequoia is substantially larger in size and has a more prolific Breba crop. The larger size of the Sequoia allows it to be harvested later into the fall when the decreased size of other cultivars such as Tena precludes their use in the fresh market.

Abstract: A sampling probe for enabling the analysis of gaseous species in a particle-laden flue gas. The sampling probe includes a tube for being inserted into a fluid stream of a particle-laden flue gas substantially perpendicular thereto to cause the fluid stream to separate and flow around the tube. The tube includes a first opening extending along a first axially extending face of the tube downstream relative to the fluid stream such that a portion of the gas enters the tube through the first opening for analysis within the tube, and a second opening extending along a second axially extending face of the tube such that the gas that enters the tube through the first opening exits the tube after analysis into the fluid stream through the second opening to allow analysis of the gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network having a path to carry a reference clock and an adjustable delay element disposed along the path, and first and second clock domains coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock and configured to be driven by respective clock waveforms, each of which has a frequency in common with the reference clock. The digital system further includes a phase detector coupled to the first and second clock domains to generate a phase difference signal based on the clock waveforms, and a control circuit coupled to the phase detector and configured to adjust the adjustable delay element based on the phase difference signal.

Abstract: A transparent light emitting diode (LED) includes a plurality of III-nitride layers, including an active region that emits light, wherein all of the layers except for the active region are transparent for an emission wavelength of the light, such that the light is extracted effectively through all of the layers and in multiple directions through the layers. Moreover, the surface of one or more of the III-nitride layers may be roughened, textured, patterned or shaped to enhance light extraction.

Abstract: A lead frame for a transparent and mirrorless light emitting diode (LED). The LED is comprised of a plurality of III-nitride layers, including an active region that emits light, wherein all of the layers except for the active region are transparent for an emission wavelength of the light, such that the light is extracted effectively through all of the layers. A lead frame supports the III-nitride layers, wherein the III-nitride layers reside on a transparent plate in the lead frame, and the light emitted from the III-nitride layers is transmitted through the transparent plate. A metal mask may be formed on the transparent plate for electrically connecting the III-nitride layers to a lead frame.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing the receptor mediated transport of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) across the blood brain barrier (BBB). The bFGF is conjugated to a BBB targeting agent using either avidin-biotin technology or genetic engineering. The bFGF conjugate was found to cross the BBB at substantially increased rates while still retaining biological activity. In addition, uptake of the bFGF conjugate by non-brain tissue and organs was limited. The bFGF conjugate may be injected intravenously to provide neuroprotection in patients suffering from cerebral stroke.

Abstract: According to the invention, quantization encoding is conducted using the probability density function of the source, enabling fixed, variable and adaptive rate encoding. To achieve adaptive encoding, an update is conducted with a new observation of the data source, preferably with each new observation of the data source. The current probability density function of the source is then estimated to produce codepoints to vector quantize the observation of the data source.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is constructed so as to comprise a non-solid core surrounded by a solid-state material. The non-solid core has an index of refraction which is lower than the index of refraction of the surrounding solid state material, and light can be transmitted with a low loss through the non-solid core. The non-solid core can extend through at least one of multiple layers of the solid state material, wherein the non-solid core is elevated on a substrate material above at least one topmost layer of the multiple solid state layers lateral to the non-solid core. In an exemplary application, the non-solid core comprises a sample material whose light transmission, absorption, and/or interference characteristics are to be measured.

Abstract: Delta protein expression in a cell is reduced by introducing miR-1 into the cell, and detecting a resultant reduction of Delta protein expression in the cell.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: A high frequency resonator circuit and method of fabrication is described which has a resonant frequency independent of physical resonator dimensions. The resonator operates in a zeroeth-order mode on a composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line (TL). The LH wave properties of the CRLH-TL contributing anti-parallel phase and group velocities. In one variation, the unit cells are formed from microstrip techniques, preferably creating alternating interdigitated capacitors and stub inductors. The resonant wavelength of the resonator is dependent on the electrical characteristics of the unit cells and not the physical size of the resonator in relation to the desired resonant wavelength. The resonator is created with at least 1.5 unit cells and the Q of the resonator is substantially independent of the number of unit cells utilized. The resonator circuit is particularly well suited for reducing resonator size, and allows resonators of various wavelengths to be fabricated within a fixed board area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a live, attenuated, invasive bacterium that infects a mammalian host cell, and releases exogenous RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. The present invention further provides compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject bacterium. The present invention provides methods of delivering an RNA to a eukaryotic host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to a host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of controlling expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response in a mammalian host to a polypeptide antigen, the method involving administering to the host a subject bacterium, wherein the antigen is encoded by the exogenous RNA produced by the bacterium.

Abstract: A resource allocation scheduling method for a cellular communication system that can avoid interference between cells. The method includes dividing a frequency band of a system into frames each having preferential allocation blocks and general allocation blocks on a time axis, classifying terminals in each cell into groups of terminals vulnerable to interference and terminals non-vulnerable to interference, and allocating resources by terminal groups according to priority orders given to the terminal groups. The preferential allocation resources designed to have the orthogonality to the interference cells, i.e., sectors, on the time axis are allocated to the terminals vulnerable to the interference, and the remaining resources are allocated to the terminals non-vulnerable to the interference.

Abstract: An adaptive multi-bit delta and sigma-delta modulation and demodulation technique, wherein a one-bit modulator generates a binary output signal from an analog input signal and a multi-bit adapter for generating a scaling signal for scaling a step-size of the sigma-delta modulator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for electrospinning composite fibers including polymeric material and mesoporous molecular sieve material. The methods include in one aspect electrospinning fibers from a conducting solution to which a high voltage electric current is applied. The apparatus includes in one aspect one or more conducting solution introduction devices for providing a quantity of conducting solution, the conducting solution introduction devices being electrically charged thereby establishing an electric field between the conduction solution introduction devices and a target, and means for controlling the flow characteristics of conducting solution from the conducting solution introduction devices.

Abstract: A product comprising a C1-C3 aliphatic carboxylic acid or corresponding ester is produced by a process comprising carbonylating a C1-C3 aliphatic alcohol or a corresponding ester with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst having an 8-member ring channel which is interconnected with a channel defined by a ring with greater than or equal to 8 members, the 8-member ring having a window size of at least 2.5 Angstroms×at least 3.6 Angstroms and at least one Brønsted acid site and the zeolite having a silica:X2O3 ratio of at least 5, wherein X is selected from aluminium, boron, iron, gallium and mixtures thereof with the proviso that the zeolite is not mordenite or ferrierite.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel chemical compounds, and methods for their use. In particular, the present invention provides indole derivatives (e.g. as shown in Formula (I)) and related compounds and methods of using indole derivatives and related compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions, including those associated with viral infection and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting the ability of HIV genes products to bind to the cytoplasmic domain of a CD4 receptor. This domain is necessary to the ability of the HIV Nef and Vpu gene products to connect the CD4 receptor to cellular degradation pathways. The present invention provides a method for introducing a modified CD4 receptor into a cell, and inhibitors thereof, to treat HIV infection and CD4 receptor down-modulation. The present invention is also directed to a method for screening compounds for the ability to inhibit CD4 down-modulation.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.