Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant host cells suitable for degrading an oligosaccharide that have been optimized for growth and production of high yields of ethanol, and methods of making and using these cells. The invention further provides minimal media comprising urea-like compounds for economical production of ethanol by recombinant microorganisms. Recombinant host cells in accordance with the invention are modified by gene mutation to eliminate genes responsible for the production of unwanted products other than ethanol, thereby increasing the yield of ethanol produced from the oligosaccharides, relative to unmutated parent strains. The new and improved strains of recombinant bacteria are capable of superior ethanol productivity and yield when grown under conditions suitable for fermentation in minimal growth media containing inexpensive reagents. Systems optimized for ethanol production combine a selected optimized minimal medium with a recombinant host cell optimized for use in the selected medium.

Abstract: Methods, system, and apparatus for generating depth maps are described. A depth map may be generated by obtaining a transformation for a prism camera having a still image capture mode and a video mode (the transformation based on the difference between the still image transfer mode and the video mode), capturing a multi-view still image with the camera, capturing multi-view video images with the camera, and generating a resolved video depth map from the transformation, the multi-view still image, and the multi-view video. The depth map may be converted to a 3D structure. Multiple resolved 3D structures from prism camera apparatus may be combined to generate volumetric reconstruction of the scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cryptophane derivatives of formula (I) capable of encapsulating small molecules such as noble gases for biological and environmental use. In particular, the invention relates to cryptophane derivatives with high affinity for xenon, which can be used as biosensors in clinical imaging.

Abstract: A coaxial cable includes a core, an insulating layer, a shielding layer, and a sheathing layer. The core includes a carbon nanotube wire-like structure and at least one conductive material layer is disposed on the outside surface of the carbon nanotube wire-like structure. The carbon nanotube wire-like structure includes a plurality carbon nanotubes orderly arranged.

Abstract: Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a means for evaluating atherosclerotic lesions by identifying a protein (marker protein) group, the expression level of which varies according to the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion, and using the proteins. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for evaluating atherosclerotic lesions, comprising the steps of detecting a marker protein exhibiting an expression pattern (expression variation) characteristic at a specific disease stage of atherosclerotic lesions in a subject, and evaluating the atherosclerotic lesions in the subject based on the detection result.

Abstract: Alkylthioperoxydiphosphates having an alkyl group between about 4 and 18 carbons, a decomposition temperature between about 150 and 300° C. and a wear volume between about 0.0025 and 0.0015 mm3 in HFRB testing, and methods of making same. Lubricant additives that includes the alkylthioperoxydiphosphates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for and treating Cystic Fibrosis lung disease severity and/or secondary manifestations, including meconium ileus and CF related liver disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric water repellent material including novel acrylamide polymer, which can be used in various field because it demonstrates controllable and excellent water repellency together with water adhesiveness. The polymeric water repellent material comprises an acrylamide polymer including at least one repeating unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing cancer, predicting a disease outcome or response to therapy in a patient sample. The method involves isolating a circulating tumor cell (CTC), for example, a viable CTC, from a sample using a parylene microfilter device comprising a membrane filter having or consisting of a parylene substrate, which has an array of holes with a predetermined shape and size; and detecting and quantifying telomerase activity in blood circulating tumor cells. The invention further provides methods of using cells live-captured in various applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound capable of inhibiting cardiac adenylyl cyclase. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or solvate thereof: where R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an acyl group having an acidic or basic substituent, provided that all of R1, R2 and R3 are not simultaneously a hydrogen atom. The present invention also provides a modulator of adenylyl cyclase activity, a pharmaceutical composition and a food composition, all of which comprise the above-described compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or solvate thereof.

Abstract: Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected.

Abstract: We provide IDH1 gene-defective cell lines (e.g., IDH1R132H heterozygous and IDH1R132H homozygous) derived from dissociated human astrocytoma samples. The cells can be used alone or in combination with each other or other cell types as a tool for determining the impact of IDH1R132H on cellular biology, tumorigenesis, and metabolic profiles. The cell lines may be used to test and identify therapeutic targets and to screen for molecular therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The process for producing an amorphous carbon film of the present invention is a process for producing an amorphous carbon film comprising contacting a surface of a substrate S with bubbles B which have been formed in a liquid L containing an organic compound and inside which plasma has been generated, so as to form an amorphous carbon film on the surface of the substrate S, and the liquid L contains one or more selected from phenols and alcohols having a carbon number of from 1 to 12. According to the present invention, a hard amorphous carbon film can be formed easily.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods related to cloning nucleic acids from biological samples, particularly pathological tissue samples. This method includes hybridizing a population of oligonucleotide sequence probes comprising degenerate sequence tags to a fixed tissue, isolating the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes and amplifying the sequence tags in the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes. This method can be utilized to identify genes associated with disease and to quantitate the expression of disease-related transcripts. The method can also be used to identify truncated mRNAs.

Abstract: There is provided a ubiquitous monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensing nodes; one or more monitoring agents receiving and transmitting sensing data of the sensing nodes; a monitoring module receiving the sensing data from the one or more monitoring agents and managing the sensing data for each type and time; an analysis module deducing one of function information, performance information, and status information for each of smart objects in a ubiquitous space, based on the sensing data, deducing one of function information, performance information, and status information of a ubiquitous service performed by coupled smart objects, and transmitting a result of deduction; and a monitoring viewer displaying the result of deduction to a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating overproduction of cortisol in a subject by administering to the subject a peptide that antagonizes adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) to block the activation of melanocortin 2 receptors.

Abstract: A method of recovering copper from chalcopyrite concentrate by chemical leaching, using pyrite and silver. The catalytic properties of pyrite in the chalcopyrite leaching process are significantly enhanced by pretreating the pyrite with silver ions. Particulate pyrite is exposed to a solution containing silver ions to form silver-treated pyrite. Particulate chalcopyrite and the silver-treated pyrite are mixed in an acidic sulfate leach solution. The copper is leached from the concentrate in the leach solution in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, under conditions whereby the pyrite is substantially unoxidized. The leached copper is recovered from the solution by conventional methods. The used silver-treated pyrite is recycled to the leaching process.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser that includes an active region, claddings and electrical contacts to stimulate emissions from the active region, where a coupled waveguide guides emission. The waveguide includes a broad area straight coupling region that fans out into an array of narrower Individual curved coupled waveguides at an output facet of the laser. The individual curved coupled waveguides are curved according to Lorentzian functions that define the waveguide curvature as a function of position along the device. The integral length of each individual curved coupled waveguide differs from adjacent individual curved coupled waveguides by an odd number of half-wavelengths. The coupled waveguide array shapes the optical field output of the semiconductor laser such that a large fraction of the power is emitted into a small angular distribution using interference phenomena. A laser of the invention produces high power output with a very high quality, narrow beam shape.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Ice Chip’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush. The distinguishing traits of ‘Ice Chip’ include at last one of dwarf plant size, spreading growth habit, gray-green leaf color, attractive white flowers, male sterility and female structures that are essentially sterile.