Abstract: Sintering self-assemblies of calcined colloidal silica particles results in sintered colloidal crystals that are free of cracks that can be resolved using optical microscopy. The sintered colloidal crystals have significantly improved strength and durability, and withstand aggressive handling. Surface rehydroxylation of the sintered colloidal crystals enables subsequent chemical modification.

Abstract: A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly sensitive sensing method for biopolymers and a sensing devise therefor by amplifying the magnetic signal generated from a biopolymer reaction. The invention concerns a sensing method for biopolymers which detects the magnetic signal generated from a labeled biopolymer under AC magnetic field using thermo-responsive magnetic nano particles as a probe.

Abstract: A molecular-based switching device and method for controlling charge transport across a molecule. The molecular-based switching device includes a molecule having first and second nodes in between which destructive quantum interference restricts electrical conduction from the first node to the second node in an off-state, a first electrode connected to the first node and configured to supply charge carriers to the first node, a second electrode connected to the second node and configured to remove the charge carriers from the second node, and a control element configured to reduce coherence in or alter charge transport paths between the first and second nodes so as to reduce existing destructive quantum interference and permit flow of the charge carriers from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: A system and method that determines a blood flow rate in an area of a subject. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an electrical signal in the range of about 20 GHz to about 300 GHz to the area, a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the area, and a processor operable to determine the blood flow rate in the area based on the rate of change of temperature in the area as a result of the application of the electrical signal on the area and a power density value.

Abstract: A process for producing a solubilized keratin of utility value easily with high yield while suppressing coloration and smelling occurring in the hydrolysis of keratin. There is provided a process for producing a solubilized keratin, characterized in that it comprises regulating the water content of keratin raw material to a hydrous state of 20 to 80%, hydrolyzing the same in an alkali solution, neutralizing the hydrolyzate liquid, and extracting a keratin hydrolyzate from the supernatant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a protein chip substrate and a method for manufacturing the protein chip substrate. The method includes deposition of plasma polymerized ethylenediamine (PPEDA) having an amine group on plasma polymerized cyclohexnane (PPCHex) by inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD), thereby preventing non-specific adsorption of proteins on a slide surface.

Abstract: A lower cost range-finding image sensor based upon measurement of reflection time of light with reduced fabrication processes compared to standard CMOS manufacturing procedures. An oxide film is formed on a silicon substrate, and two photo-gate electrodes for charge-transfer are provided on the oxide film. Floating diffusion layers for taking charges out from a photodetector layer are provided at the ends of the oxide film, and on the outside thereof are provided a gate electrode for resetting and a diffusion layer for providing a reset voltage.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate an average degree of polarization, a weighted average degree of polarization, a degree of polarization map, a degree of polarization surface. Also, a method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate depolarization relative to a retardance axis and/or a diattentuation axis, and to calculate a ratio of diattenuation to polarizance or ratios of row and column magnitudes. Also, a method for retinal polarimetry, including a non-depolarizing light tube configured for insertion into the eye.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell of the invention includes a formic acid fuel solution in communication with an anode (12, 134), an oxidizer in communication with a cathode (16, 135) electrically linked to the anode, and an anode catalyst that includes Pd. An exemplary formic acid fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (130) includes a proton-conducting membrane (131) having opposing first (132) and second surfaces (133), a cathode catalyst on the second membrane surface, and an anode catalyst including Pd on the first surface.

Abstract: A reagent for conjugation to a biomolecule, wherein the reagent is a single molecule with at least three functional parts and has schematic structure (I): a) wherein a trifunctional cross-linking moiety is coupled to b) an affinity ligand via a linker 1, said affinity ligand being capable of binding with another molecule having affinity for said ligand, to c) an effector agent, optionally via a linker 2, said effector agent exerting its effect on cells, tissues and/or humorous molecules in vivo or ex vivo, and to d) a biomolecule reactive moiety, optionally via a linker 3, said moiety being capable of forming a bond between the reagent and the biomolecule.

Abstract: Oligosaccharides produced by an alternansucrase enzyme catalyzed reaction of sucrose with an acceptor oligosaccharide are effective as prebiotics for controlling enteric bacterial pathogens. Populations of enteropathogenic bacteria may be substantially reduced or inhibited by treatment of an animal with a composition comprising one or more of these oligosaccharides in an amount effective to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. The method is particularly effective for the control of Salmonella species, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Clostridia perfringens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving combined beamforming and transmit diversity for frequency selective fading channels in a communication system having a base station with multiple transmit antennae and a mobile terminal with at least a single receive antenna, the method comprising the steps of: providing a signal to be transmitted; space-time encoding the signal to produce at least two separate signals, each on a respective output; feeding each output signal to a multiple access transmit processor to produce an output signal; applying respective selected transmit beamforming weights to each output signal; feeding the respective weighted signals to a signal combiner to perform a summing function of the signals and produce a signal for transmission; feeding the summed signal to each of the multiple transmit antennae for transmission; transmitting the signals over respective physical channels; receiving the transmitted signal at at least a single receive antenna; feeding the transmitted signal to a multiple a

Abstract: Apparatus for the inspection of cargo containers for nuclear materials comprising one or more arrays of modules comprising grounded, closed conductive tubes filled with an ionizing gas mixture such as, but not limited to, Argon:CO2. A wire is suspended along each tube axis and electrically connected at both ends of the tube. A positive, dc high voltage is supplied to one end of the wire and an amplifier is attached to the other end through a capacitance to decouple the amplifier from the high voltage. X-rays, gamma rays or neutrons produced by nuclear material and passing through the tube ionize the gas. The electrons from the gas ionization process are accelerated toward the wire surface due to the wire's electrical potential. The acceleration of the electrons near the wire's surface is sufficient to ionize more gas and produce an amplification of electrons/ions that create a surge of current large enough to be detectable by the amplifier.

Abstract: An Optical Imaging Device of Retinal Function has been developed to detect changes in reflectance of near infrared light from the retina of human subjects in response to visual activation of the retina by a pattern stimulus. The measured changes in reflectance correspond in time to the onset and offset of the visual stimulus in the portion of the retina being stimulated. Any changes in reflectance can be measured by interrogating the retina with a light source. The light source may be presented to the retina via the cornea and pupil or through other tissues in and around the eye. Different wavelengths of interrogating light may be used to interrogate various layers of the retina. Additionally, various novel patterns and methods of stimulation have been developed for use with the imaging device and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel sulfoximine compounds, compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds as inhibitors of CYP24. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful for treating diseases which benefit from a modulation of the levels of 1?,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, for example, cell-proliferative disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing salt tolerance in a plant by overexpressing a gene encoding a mutant SOS2 protein in at least one cell type in the plant. The present invention also provides for transgenic plants expressing the mutant SOS2 proteins.

Abstract: A method for controlling cholesterol metabolism in a host, a screening assay for agents that can control cholesterol metabolism, and the agents that may be identified are practiced and determined in relation to the expression of PLTP in HepG2 cells and a clone from these cells, designated HepG2/PLTPpLuc. Particular agents that are covered comprise camptothecin, topotecan, derivatives thereof, metabolic byproducts thereof and small molecule mimics thereof.

Abstract: Methods are described for mapping a pathway of differentiation of a population of embryonic cells that includes exposing the cells to an exogenous factor and measuring gene expression products that are characteristic of a particular cell type or lineage. Directing differentiation of human embryonic cells relies on dissociated embryoid bodies that are then exposed to one or more exogenous factors to enrich a culture for a particular cell type. The differentiated cells may be used for treating a medical condition in a human. Kits for determining differentiation pathways and screening exogenous factors for their utility in differentiation are provided.

Abstract: A composition for facilitating delivery of biological agents, comprising a supramolecular complex including as constituents a block copolymer, having at least one nonionic, water soluble segment and at least one polyionic segment, and at least one charged surfactant having hydrophobic groups, the charge of the surfactant being opposite to that of the polyionic segment of the block copolymer. The constituents of the complex are bound by interaction between the opposite charges thereof and between surfactant hydrophobic groups. The complex may include an anionic surfactant having a biological activity, in which case the net charge of such anionic surfactant is no more than about 10.