Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of diagnosing, monitoring and treating an Aspergillus species-associated condition, such as Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)-associated condition, including aspergillosis, such as invasive aspergillosis (IA). Methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring an Aspergillus species-associated condition, such as IA are provided. Also disclosed are point-of-care immunoassays that can be used to diagnose or monitor the efficacy of an Aspergillus-associated condition treatment. These immunoassays can also be used for rapid diagnosis of infection produced by an Aspergillus species, such as Af.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-microneedle integrated body in which a dissolving microneedle and an electrode for electroporation are integrated into one, which enables a focused and efficient intracutaneous gene release for percutaneous gene delivery and intracellular gene delivery occurring in one in-situ treatment site The electro-microneedle integrated body according to the present invention includes an electrode for electroporation which is contacted with skin of a human body to apply an electric field pulse, including a base part and a plurality of electrode parts protruding from the base part, and a microneedle adhered to each electrode part and inserted into the skin of a human body, including a biocompatible and biodegradable viscous material and a genetic material, wherein the microneedle degrades within the skin, and the electric field pulse is applied through the electrode for electroporation in a site in which the microneedle is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new degreasing composition comprising at least one levulinic acid ester according to general formula (I) CH3CO(CH2)2COOR1 (I) in which R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 56 carbon atoms, wherein said hydrocarbon radical is optionally hydroxysubstituted. The present invention also relates to a process for degreasing a metal surface comprising the step of contacting said metal surface with the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for forming a display device includes forming a liquid crystal layer between a first substrate and a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, in which the liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal composition including a reactive mesogen, applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, firstly curing the liquid crystal layer at a temperature from about ?20° C. to about 60° C., and secondly curing the liquid crystal layer without applying the electric field. The liquid crystal composition includes the reactive mesogen in an amount exceeding 0 percent by weight and equal to or smaller than about 30 percent by weight relative to a total weight of the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved wave activated power generator. The power generator includes a pile, a chain secured at opposite ends thereof to the pile and a floating body, respectively, a suction pipe communicating at one end thereof with an interior of the pile and secured at the other end thereof to the floating body to be exposed from a sea surface, and an air supply pipe connected at one end thereof to an upper end of the tube to communicate with a tube and secured at the other end thereof to the floating body to be exposed from the sea surface. The chain is sealed and surrounded with the tube filled with air. The suction pipe is disposed to pass through the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric vehicle battery attaching/detaching device including a battery mounting unit formed on an electric vehicle to detachably mount a battery and provided with a connector pin module adapted to be lifted/lowered by a lifting/lowering means; a loader having a plurality of battery stands, each battery stand being adapted to detachably mount a fully-charged battery to be exchanged with the battery mounted on the battery mounting unit; and a battery attaching/detaching unit adapted to move along X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis between the battery mounting unit and the battery stand by means of a movement device, detach a battery mounted on the battery mounting unit or the battery stand, and exchange/mount the battery on the battery stand or the battery mounting unit.

Abstract: A system for automatically exchanging a battery of an electric vehicle, including a horizontal frame of a predetermined area formed at a location higher than the electric vehicle; a plurality of battery stands formed on a bottom surface of the horizontal frame at a predetermined interval; a pair of fixed guide rails arranged and installed on front and rear sides or left and right sides of the horizontal frame, respectively; a variable guide rail adapted to move horizontally along X-axis or Y-axis along the fixed guide rails; a movable rail adapted to move horizontally along Y-axis or X-axis along the variable guide rail and ascend/descend vertically; and a grasping part installed on a lower end of the movable rail and adapted to pick up a battery of the electric vehicle or a battery seated on the battery stand and exchange each other.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition composed of a therapeutic agent encapsulated in a copolymer of an N-alkylacrylamide, a vinyl monomer, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugate and a method for using the same in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition.

Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer sequentially stacked on a substrate, and a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer. The first electrode includes an edge electrode including first and second edge portions opposite to each other, and a line electrode including first and second line portions respectively extending from the first and second edge portions. The edge electrode has a closed loop-shape. A distance between the first line portion and the second edge portion is equal to or less than a quarter of a length of the first line portion. A distance between the second line portion and the first edge portion is equal to or less than a quarter of a length of the second line portion.

Abstract: A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques.

Abstract: The micropump includes continuous cylindrical separating pipes having at least two alternating stages of pipes of small radius and large radius connected in succession. One end of the pipes constitutes a hot zone, and the opposite end constitutes a cold zone. The pipes alternate straight pipes with a large radius and U-shaped curved pipes with a small radius. The-relationship of the large radius of a straight pipe to the small radius (r) of a U-shaped pipe is in a range of R/r=2-10000, while the relationship of the temperature (T2) of a hot zone to the temperature (T1) of a cold zone is T2/T1=1.1-3.0. The length and radius measurements of a straight pipe and a U-shaped pipe are selected to ensure a given change in temperature of the gas from the temperature of the hot zone to the temperature of the cold zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a prostate-specific antigen, PCA3. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the PCA3 protein; purified PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins or polypeptides in a sample; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess, or prognose a mammal afflicted with prostate cancer; therapeutic uses; and methods of preventing prostate cancer in an animal.

Abstract: Provided are a touch screen and a method for compensating sensing capacitance variations and offset variations thereof. The touch screen includes: a touch panel where a plurality of driving lines and a plurality of sensing lines intersect and are wired; a driving unit for activating the driving lines sequentially; an input unit for measuring a sensing capacitance formed in a sensing line corresponding to an activated driving line; a multiplexer for serializing and outputting the measured sensing capacitance; an analog-to-digital converter for sampling the sensing capacitance outputted from the multiplexer by reflecting an initial sensing capacitance as an offset and performing analog-to-digital conversion for the sampling result; and a host processor for determining a touch event in response to the analog-to-digital conversion result.

Abstract: The invention is based on the recognition that known antimicrobial compounds, such as nisin or other lantibiotics, can be made to form a long lasting antimicrobial surface coating by linking the peptide with a block polymer, such as PLURONIC® F108 or an end group activated polymer (EGAP) in a manner to form a flexible tether and/or entrap the peptide. The entrapped peptide provides antimicrobial action by early release from entrapment while the tethered peptide provides longer lasting antimicrobial protection. Antimicrobial gels and foams may be prepared using the antimicrobial peptide containing block copolymers.

Abstract: The carbon-free fire tube boiler is a boiler for heating water by combustion of hydrocarbon fuels with oxygen. The boiler includes a housing defining first and second heat transfer stages. At least one oxygen transport reactor is received within the first heat transfer stage. The oxygen transport reactor includes an outer wall and an inner cylindrical ion transport membrane. The membrane receives pressurized air and separates gaseous oxygen therefrom, transporting the oxygen into an annular region between the membrane and the outer wall. The gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is delivered into the annular region for combustion, producing gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor. A water reservoir is defined within the first and second stages, with the at least one oxygen transport reactor and at least one transfer tube passing therethrough. The carbon dioxide and the water vapor are delivered through the at least one transfer tube for heating water contained therein.

Abstract: Novel compounds are continually sought after to treat and prevent diseases and disorders. The invention relates to N-(2-oxo-1-phenylpiperidin-3-yl)sulfonamides useful for being biologically and pharmacologically screened, and to contribute to the exploration and identification of new lead molecules that are capable of modulating the functional activity of a biological target.

Abstract: Introduction of double stranded RNA into cells, cell culture, organs and tissues, and whole organisms, particularly vertebrates, specifically attenuates gene expression.

Abstract: A method of generating pluripotent stem cells is described. The method comprises: (a) expanding human pancreatic beta cells; and subsequently (b) generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from the human pancreatic beta cells. Methods of redifferentiating the iPS cells into particular cell types are also disclosed. Uses of the cell populations are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active compounds, particularly liquid compounds, which are immobilized on a solid carrier material, particularly on mesoporous silica. The compounds are non-covalently supported on the solid carrier material thereby forming stable, easily handled solids which have the further advantage that the adsorbed biologically active compounds have improved thermal stability compared with the non-adsorbed compounds, and that they are released rapidly and completely from the carrier material when placed in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: There are disclosed sulfonic acid precursor compositions, as are methods of using these compositions in, for example, photolithography. Other embodiments are also disclosed.