Abstract: The invention concerns methods and kits for evaluating the semen quality. The invention also concerns compounds and compositions for preserving a sperm sample, especially during cryopreservation. The invention is based on a correlation between sperm phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and sperm fertility and on the use of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors, more particularly PDE10 inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a skin care composition comprising a laminriacea (brown seaweed) extract and the use of said composition in the treatment of skin aging signs Specifically, it was discovered that a crude extract of the laminariacea Saccharina Longicruris has a strong potential for anti-senescence and anti-cellular aging effect and is efficient to restore the contraction of the collagen network of aged cell lattices to the level of contraction of young cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-fog coating for a surface of a substrate comprising: a first polymer layer resulting from covalently bonding a polyanhydride polymer to said surface; and a second polymer layer resulting from covalently bonding a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed polyester, polyether and cellulose derivative; said surface having nucleophilic groups. A substrate having an anti-fog coating, as well as a process for preparing said anti-fog coating to the surface of a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the competence of oocytes to uterine implantation and development into living individual. The invention more particularly relates to marker that are detected and measured in granulosa cells collected along with the oocytes during oocyte aspiration as it is done in assisted reproduction techniques.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of neuroglia-derived BDNF expression or activity. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing compounds for the treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are also described.

Abstract: A method for writing a Bragg grating in a rare-earth doped glass optical waveguide is provided. Ultrafast optical pulses are generated, preferably in the femtosecond range and having a writing wavelength in the range of 300 nm to 700 nm and an intensity sufficient to induce a change of refractive index in the rare-earth doped glass waveguide through densification. The optical pulses are diffracted using a phase mask, to generate an interference pattern having a pitch providing a fundamental Bragg resonance corresponding to the target wavelength to be reflected by the grating. The interference pattern is impinged on a region of the rare-earth doped glass waveguide, which is heated to a temperature above a threshold of about 350° C., for a predetermined heating period. Advantageously, the heating step allows the elimination of photodarkening effects which would otherwise be present in the waveguiding properties of the waveguide.

Abstract: Reagents, methods and kits for screening for compounds that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV), such as human NaV1.5/SC-N5A/hH1 are described. The reagents, methods and kits are based on mutated NaV alpha subunit polyptides of SEQ ID NO:5 with mutations at positions 372, 898, 1419 and 1711 (the DEKA motif) and at positions 11485, 1486 and 1487 (the IFM motif) resulting in increased permeability for a group IIA divalent cation (Ca+) and decreased inactivation rate. The mutant polypeptide is used in a method and kit for determining whether a test compound modulates the channel activity, preferably using a chimeric polypeptide (chameleon polypeptide) comprising calmodulin, a calmodulin binding protein (M13), and two fluorescent agents.

Abstract: Nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions including nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof. Compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, Xa and Ya are as defined herein are also provided.

Abstract: A GPS system for obtaining data from a GPS signal received at a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station being connected to a common receiver station through an optical fiber link The system includes a light generating module at the receiver station generating an optical reference signal, and an antenna station module at each antenna station. The antenna station modules modulate the optical reference signal according to the GPS signal received, obtaining a twice modulated optical signal, and sending this signal to the receiver station. Finally, an output module is provided at the receiver station, this module being used for extracting the GPS signal and the oscillating reference signal, calibrating in real time the optical fiber links based on a phase comparison, and processing the GPS signal from the antenna stations, taking into account the real time calibration of the optical fiber links.

Abstract: Novel chemical agents are described herein. More specifically, 2-(N-substituted piperazinyl) pregnane and 2-(N-substituted piperazinyl) androstane derivatives exhibiting cytotoxicity on a variety of cancer cell lines are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions including nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof. Compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, Xa and Ya are as defined herein are also provided.

Abstract: Use of nicotine receptor agonists for treating inflammatory diseases, including a variety of pulmonary diseases. Such agonists have fewer side effects than other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids. Moreover, these agonists can be used alone or in combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pulmonary diseases. For example, a method of treating pulmonary inflammation of an inflammatory disease selected from the group of asthma, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonitis (BOOP) in an animal in need thereof having said inflammation, including administering orally or by inhalation to said animal a nicotinic receptor agonist.

Abstract: A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.

Abstract: AKR1B1 (EC 1.1.1.21) is an aldose reductase that has mainly been associated with the polyol pathway, and more recently with lipid deperoxidation. We have discovered that the primary activity of this enzyme is rather a PGFS activity, catalyzing the transformation of PGH2 into PGF2?. AKR1B1 as a therapeutic target, and method for modulating its expression and activity are provided. Methods for regulating the expression and activity of PGF2? are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for micro-machining a surface of a workpiece having a complex surface profile including desired profile features and finer undesired profile features to be removed, including shaping a formable polishing tool using either the workpiece itself or a replica of the workpiece to have at least said desired profile features, and using said formable polishing tool to micro-machine said surface to remove said finer undesired profile features while maintaining said desired profile features. The formable polishing tool can be shaped to have at least said desired profile features by pressing the formable polishing tool against either the workpiece itself or the replica of the workpiece when the formable polishing tool is in a formable state, and the formable polishing tool can be used for micro-machining when the formable polishing tool is in a solid state.

Abstract: Based on our identification of silicon influx and efflux transporter genes in plants known to take up silicon efficiently including wheat, horsetail, oat, sorghum, and barley, the present invention features polynucleotides encoding silicon transporters; vectors, cells, and plants including such polynucleotides, and methods for making such plants. The invention also features silicon transporter polypeptides and fragments thereof. Plants expressing heterologous silicon transporters may exhibit both increased silicon uptake and increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, plants such as soybean expressing silicon transporters may exhibit increased resistance to pathogens such as rust.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display or other light modulator is provide with an alignment layer with a pretilt that is better than is currently available with rubbing technology. The liquid crystal cell consumes less electrical power to operate. The pretilt can be programmed using suitable field and recorded in the alignment layer.

Abstract: A variable optical device for controlling the propagation of light has a liquid crystal layer (1), electrodes (4) arranged to generate an electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer, and an electric field modulation layer (3,71) arranged between the electrodes and adjacent the liquid crystal layer for spatially modulating said electric field in a manner to control the propagation of light passing through said optical device. The electric field modulation layer has either an optical index of refraction that is essentially spatially uniform, or a polar liquid or gel, or a very high low frequency dielectric constant material having a dielectric constant greater than 20, and preferably greater than 1000.

Abstract: There is provided a proof body for use in a strain gauge for measuring horizontal strains in a pavement. The proof body is to be inserted in a hole provided in a surface layer of the pavement. The proof body is designed to be embedded in a substitute core designed to be retrofitted in the hole. The proof body is designed to be attached to the walls of the hole, allowing measurement of horizontal strains in the pavement surface layer.

Abstract: An array receiver which reduces complexity and cost by exploiting multiuser information in signals received from a plurality of transmitting users preprocesses (40) samples of antenna signals (x1, x2 . . . , xN) from the antenna elements (22/1, . . . , 22/N) to form basis signals (yO, . . . , yM) together having fewer space-time dimensions than the space-time dimensions of the combined antenna signals. The receiver processes and combines the basis signals to produce sets of estimated received signals (z0, . . . , zM), each for a corresponding one of the users. Each of the basis signals comprises a different combination of the antenna signals. The receiver combines the basis signals to provide a user-specific output signal, and periodically updates parameters of the filters (40/0, . . . , 40/M) used for deriving each particular basis signal such that each user-specific output signal will exhibit a desired optimized concentration of energy of that user's received signal as received by the array antenna.