Abstract: A sliding correlator for timing synchronization in HIPERLAN/2 and IEEE 802.11a wireless local area networks by correlating the received signal with a known waveform is disclosed. The disclosed sliding correlator avoids the large number of complex multiplications per second, about 320 million by one estimate, by employing an implementation that avoids multiplication operations while also avoiding complexity. This invention discloses methods and apparatus to implement this correlator, using alternative correlator coefficients well suited for digital implementations, whereby the need to perform multiplication is eliminated.

Abstract: A method for producing collagen-based scaffolds with improved characteristics, which broadens the usage of collagen in tissue engineering and the products so produced are described. The method comprises reconstitution of three-dimensional collagen matrices from collagen monomer solution and crosslinking the matrix with a light source in the presence of a photosensitizing reagent. The crosslinked products can be in any shape and form and used in the dry or wet state, for applications including but not limited to tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated novel virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). The hSARS virus is identified to be morphologically and phylogenetically similar to known member of Coronaviridae. The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of the hSARS virus. Furthermore, the invention provides the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from the hSARS virus and their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods, including vaccines. In addition, the invention provides chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by said nucleotide sequences and antibodies immunospecific to the polypeptides encoded by the nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as human coronavirus-HKU1 (“CoV-HKU1”), isolated in Hong Kong. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviridae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. Further study on nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with community-acquired pneumonia has revealed that there are two genotypes, genotype A and genotype B, for this virus. In addition to the genomic sequences of these two genotypes, the invention provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolation and characterization of a class of isolated novel viruses which is the precursor of the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). The precursor virus which is a SARS coronavirus-like virus (“SCoV-like virus”) is identified to be morphologically and phylogenetically similar to hSARS virus. The present invention relates to a nucleotide sequence comprising the genomic sequence of the SCoV-like virus. The invention further relates to nucleotide sequences comprising a portion of the genomic sequence of the SCoV-like virus. The invention also relates to the deduced amino acid sequences of the SCoV-like virus. The invention further relates to the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from these sequences and their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are emissive materials of formula (I) or (II), comprising two bidentate NO-type ligands, or a tetradentate NOON-type ligand, and a transition metal. The emissive materials are useful as electrophosphorescent emitters in organic light-emitting devices. Also disclosed are methods for preparing organic light-emitting diodes comprising these emissive materials, and the use of such diodes as white and yellow organic light-emitting devices.

Abstract: Diarylethene-containing ligands and their coordination compounds are described. The ligands display photochromism with UV excitation, while the coordination compounds display photochromism with both excitation in the UV region and excitation into lower energy absorption bands characteristic of the coordination compounds, through which the excitation wavelengths for the photocyclization can be extended from ??340 nm to wavelengths beyond 470 nm. Switching of the luminescence properties of the compounds has also been achieved through photochromic reactions.

Abstract: In this invention, two phytase genes from two generally-regarded-as-safe microorganisms, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis 168, were cloned and characterized. A process for phytase enzyme over-expression and purification was also developed. The enzymes have molecular weight of about 48 kilodaltons and showed extracellular phytate-hydrolyzing activities. The recombinant enzyme can be used to enhance phytase utilization in various commercial areas, including preparation of animal feed and transgenic plants that have increased growth rates for maturity, flowering and fruiting.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising fragments of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) which can lead to telomere dysfunction in a cell and reduction of growth and tumorigenicity in cancer cells. The invention also relates to uses of the fragments in the treatment of cancer and in drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic assay for the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). In particular, the invention relates to a real-time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of hSARS virus using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Specifically, the quantitative assay is a TaqMan® assay using the primers and probes constructed based on the genome of the hSARS virus. The invention further relates to a diagnostic kit that comprises nucleic acid molecules for the detection of the hSARS virus.

Abstract: Systems and methods of MIMO wireless communication system with partial feedback are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station estimates the channel matrices of the K mobile units and transmits an index value corresponding to each of the estimated channel matrix. Each mobile unit selects a power control matrix and beam-forming matrix based on the received index value and transmits its data stream to the base station using the selected power control and beam-forming matrix. A method for generating the sets of power control matrices, beam-forming matrices, and partitions of the channel matrix space is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteinase inhibitor II genes, SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b, their production in transformed plants, and isolation of SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b proteins from transformed plants of the invention. The invention further relates to use in inhibiting endogenous protease activities in transformed plants. In specific embodiments, the protease activities are trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities. The invention relates to a method for protection of heterologous protein production in transformed plants by the co-expression of a proteinase inhibitor gene, e.g. SaPIN2a or SaPIN2b, which encodes a proteinase inhibitor protein, or a biologically active fragment, analog, and variant thereof, that inhibits protease activities. Specifically, the present invention also provides methods of inhibiting programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants. The invention further relates to methods to enhance resistance of plants to pests or pathogens, including insects.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of altered serum proteins in an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-infected patient with liver inflammation, comprising: obtaining a sample of serum from the patient; subjecting the sample to protein gel electrophoresis to separate proteins contained therein; staining proteins separated on the electrophoresis gel with silver nitrate solution; scanning the images of stained proteins into an image analysis scanner to obtain gel images; comparing the gel images to control samples of electrophoresis gels prepared from serum of normal patient and serum of HBV-infected patient with liver inflammation to determine whether the sample of serum from the patient contains specific serum proteins. This invention also provides serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with HBV infection and liver inflammation.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to polymorphisms or mutations of the PHOX2B gene. More particularly, the invention relates to polymorphisms or mutations of the PHOX2B gene that are responsible for the disease Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR), which is a neural crest-associated developmental disorder. Specifically, the invention relates to the detection of a single base-pair polymorphism in the PHOX2B gene that is associated with HSCR. The invention also relates to methods and kits for screening for carriers of mutations of the PHOX2B gene and the diagnosis of increased risk of HSCR. The invention further relates to diagnosing predisposition or susceptibility to increased risk of developing HSCR by screening for the presence of a polymorphism associated with HSCR. The invention also relates to compositions for screening for the polymorphism and treatment choices for patients having the polymorphism of the present invention.

Abstract: An efficient power driver for color light emitting diodes (LED) is disclosed for driving multiple LEDs for producing different desired colors. Such LED combinations comprising LEDs with different primary colors are suitable for implementing pixels in displaying a digitized image. This disclosed invention provides switching power conversion embodiments such that a single apparatus drives different color LEDs. Furthermore, the disclosed invention provides configurations with and without input to output isolation while enabling control of the current through each LED, for instance by an inductor or operating condition.

Abstract: Materials containing one or more borazine rings are employed as materials for electroluminescent devices. The compounds have molecular structures represented by the following formula: in which R1–R6 are independently a metal; a whole or part of an optionally substituted borazine ring; hydrogen; halogen; hydroxyl; optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, alkoxy, acyloxy, amino, acylamino, aralkyl, cyano, carboxyl, thio, vinyl, styryl, aminocarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryloxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or alkoxycarbonyl, as well as recognized donor and acceptor groups. The compounds have high thermal stability as well as hole and electron mobilities.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for video stabilization is disclosed for detecting and eliminating unwanted camera motion from a sequence of video images. Motion vectors are first generated based on sample points using a block matching technique, from which a number of possible camera motions are estimated. Among the estimated camera motions, unwanted or undesirable camera motions are then detected and parameterized. A frame remapping process is then applied to relocate the pixels in the current frame, which acts in opposition to the dislocation of pixels due to unwanted camera motions in order to achieve video stabilization.

Abstract: A catalyst compound of formula I or II: (wherein R1–R11, M, E, T, X, Y, m and n are defined herein). The compound, when combined with a suitable activator, is active for the polymerization of olefins. In an embodiment of combinations of the R1–R7 and T groups, these catalysts can engage in weak attractive non-covalent interactions with the polymer chain. In another embodiment, the R1–R11 groups in formula II exhibit weak attractive non-covalent interactions with the polymer chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhibition of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by RNA molecules of the present invention. Specifically, the RNA molecules of the present invention are double-stranded ribonucleic acid molecules (dsRNA). Specifically, the invention relates to small interfering RNAs (siRNA) which are double-stranded RNAs that direct the sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA in mammalian cells. The invention relates to development of a new anti-HBV therapy by inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication using stably-expressed short hairpin RNAs (shRNA), which degrade HBV pregenomic RNA and message RNAs. Included are methods of treatment of cancer by the administration of RNA molecules of the present invention in combination with surgery, alone or in further combination with standard and experimental chemotherapies, hormonal therapies, biological therapies/immunotherapies and/or radiation therapies.

Abstract: A method for producing the high-value ketocarotenoid astaxanthin by the green microalga Chlorella zofingiensis in dark-heterotrophic cultures shows excellent growth and high-yield astaxanthin production on glucose-supplemented media in the dark. The specific growth rate and astaxanthin yield can be as high as 0.031 h?1, and 10.3 mg l?1, respectively, which are the highest so far reported in heterotrophic algal cultures. The light-independent astaxanthin-producing ability of Chlorella zofingiensis can be employed for commercial production of astaxanthin using industrial fermenters.